AGENDA TITLE:
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Consider Adoption of a Resolution to Approve Sending Letters to Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump in Support of Legislation Requiring Voter Identification and Prohibiting Same-Day Voter Registration (CM)
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MEETING DATE:
March 19, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Laurie Montes, Assistant City Manager (Part-time)
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Consider adoption of a resolution to approve sending letters to Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump in support of legislation requiring Voter Identification and Prohibiting Same-Day Voter Registration.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The integrity of our electoral process is fundamental to democracy. However, current practices, such as same-day voter registration and the lack of voter identification requirements, have introduced administrative challenges and potential vulnerabilities.
The California Secretary of State’s website indicates that voters must register at least 14 days before an election. However, conditional voter registration permits individuals to register and vote at polling places and vote centers on Election Day. This discrepancy causes confusion among voters and election workers, undermining public confidence in the process.
While same-day voter registration was intended to increase voter accessibility, it has proven challenging to manage and has significantly delayed election certification. In fact, Secretary of State Weber finalized the 2024 General Election results on December 13, 2024, 38 days after Election Day, making California one of the last states in the country to certify results for this past November’s election. The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters has reported increased workloads due to a surge in same-day voter registrations. Processing and verifying these registrations while administering the election presents significant challenges, increasing the risk of errors.
Requiring voter identification at polling places would enhance election security and ensure that every vote cast is legitimate. There are currently 36 states that require voters to show some form of identification at the polls, demonstrating that such requirements do not suppress voter participation but instead strengthen the integrity of the process.
On January 9, 2025, the San Joaquin County Election Advisory Committee (EAC) unanimously approved a recommendation supporting changes to election laws, including the implementation of voter identification requirements and the elimination of same-day voter registration. Subsequently, on January 28, 2025, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors reviewed the EAC’s recommendation and approved sending letters to state and federal leaders advocating for these changes emphasizing the importance of bolstering voter confidence in elections.
Mayor Bregman and Councilmember Craig-Hensley requested an agenda item for Council deliberation on whether the City should also encourage legislation similar to the San Joaquin County Board’s approved letters. Pursuant to that request, staff agendized this item and prepared for Council consideration the attached letters to Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald J. Trump urging support for legislation requiring voter identification and prohibiting same-day voter registration.
STRATEGIC VISION:
All.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
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Scott R. Carney
City Manager