Voter ID, billionaire tax top crowded ballot for California voters

California voters face 14 ballot measures in November, with Proposition 39's voter ID requirement and Proposition 40's one-time billionaire tax drawing the most heat. Proposition 39 would require photo ID for in-person voting and partial ID numbers for mail ballots; backers like state Senator Tony Strickland call it common sense, pointing out California is one of only 14 states without such a rule.

Opponents, including Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, say the state already verifies voters at registration and that the measure would slow counting and disenfranchise people with disabilities. Multiple political science professors interviewed said noncitizen voting is rare to nonexistent in audits, calling the measure 'a solution in search of a problem.'

Proposition 40's billionaire tax has split Democrats, with Governor Gavin Newsom opposed while other party members support it. Opponents warn of an exodus of wealthy residents, though researchers cited in the piece found little evidence high earners flee over taxes, and one professor noted billionaires could leave personally while their jobs stay put.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.