3 ms·

Nope. It is literally illegal[1] to ask for identification in California. In fairness it was ambiguous[2] before, but in practice California has never asked fo

Nope. It is literally illegal[1] to ask for identification in California. In fairness it was ambiguous[2] before, but in practice California has never asked for identification and this was made clear and official policy from the 2024 elections (note: I am not aware if there are any lawsuits that have blocked enforcement of this law, I no longer reside in CA and do not keep close track of their goings-on). And before anyone says "But registering to vote requires identification!": Yes, you're correct, but remember that asking for a voter's identity is illegal. No one can confirm whether a "voter" is actually a voter, it is illegal to check. Registering to vote is irrelevant. My personal experiences voting in California also never involved being asked for identification, that includes "name and address". Never. None. I went in and voted, nobody cared whether I could because they didn't or couldn't. For the record: I'm an American citizen (born and raised, not that that's relevant), I am registered to vote, I am proud to vote, and I am happy to present to any law enforcement or election official my state Driver's License to prove my residency and my US Passport to prove my citizenship upon demand. I question the narrative that any part of any of this is controversial for ensuring the sanctity of the right to vote and holding free and fair elections. [1]: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB1174 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtm... [2]: https://perkinscoie.com/insights/update/new-california-law-prohibits-localities-imposing-their-own-voter-id-requirements https://perkinscoie.com/insights/update/new-california-law-p...

saagarjha 2y ago
Surely they can just check your ballot and see if you are registered to vote when counting it?
- Dalewyn 2y ago
  That's the theory and in most other states I would agree, but this is California. The priority is in getting votes period, not getting voters. Once a ballot gets past the initial verification stage, ballots are separated from the voter and it becomes impossible to link them back again (ballots have no identifiers on them). Given California's priorities, I have no confidence in the integrity of their ballot verification. While I did still vote when I was in California, I was aware I was likely just wasting my time and that the act of voting had symbolic meaning but no practical value. Election integrity is achieved by vetting elections in ways that are immediately obvious and verifiable by the voters, California unfortunately has none of that as a legal policy of the state.
  - quantified 2y ago
    As I noted in a separate comment, they do check whether your name and address is registered to vote.
  - NewJazz 2y ago
    Just because you don't understand the vetting doesn't mean it is not effective. Did you reach out to the CA Secretary of State's office regarding your concerns? If you communicated respectfully, I'm sure they would happily provide some reading materials.
quantified 2y ago
I didn't ask about ID check. You make it sound like the process involves just walking in and asking for a ballot. I actually don't recall the detail from this cycle as to whether I was asked for ID. They did check out whether I was on the list and had already checked in. So they did look whether my name and address was registered to vote.
- Dalewyn 2y ago
  In my case there was no such identification process whatsoever. I went in, asked for a ballot, got a ballot no questions asked, filled it in, and dropped it in a box monitored by a few poll workers. I actually asked them the first time I voted if they weren't going to ask me who I am because I found it bizarre, and I still remember getting a simple and quick "No.". So I really don't know what to tell you, I can only relate what I experienced. I have no confidence that California's elections are worth a damn because I have nothing to support such an assertion.

saagarjha 2y ago

Surely they can just check your ballot and see if you are registered to vote when counting it?

Dalewyn 2y ago
That's the theory and in most other states I would agree, but this is California. The priority is in getting votes period, not getting voters. Once a ballot gets past the initial verification stage, ballots are separated from the voter and it becomes impossible to link them back again (ballots have no identifiers on them). Given California's priorities, I have no confidence in the integrity of their ballot verification. While I did still vote when I was in California, I was aware I was likely just wasting my time and that the act of voting had symbolic meaning but no practical value. Election integrity is achieved by vetting elections in ways that are immediately obvious and verifiable by the voters, California unfortunately has none of that as a legal policy of the state.
- quantified 2y ago
  As I noted in a separate comment, they do check whether your name and address is registered to vote.
- NewJazz 2y ago
  Just because you don't understand the vetting doesn't mean it is not effective. Did you reach out to the CA Secretary of State's office regarding your concerns? If you communicated respectfully, I'm sure they would happily provide some reading materials.

quantified 2y ago

I didn't ask about ID check. You make it sound like the process involves just walking in and asking for a ballot. I actually don't recall the detail from this cycle as to whether I was asked for ID. They did check out whether I was on the list and had already checked in. So they did look whether my name and address was registered to vote.

Dalewyn 2y ago
In my case there was no such identification process whatsoever. I went in, asked for a ballot, got a ballot no questions asked, filled it in, and dropped it in a box monitored by a few poll workers. I actually asked them the first time I voted if they weren't going to ask me who I am because I found it bizarre, and I still remember getting a simple and quick "No.". So I really don't know what to tell you, I can only relate what I experienced. I have no confidence that California's elections are worth a damn because I have nothing to support such an assertion.