Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber Urges Californians to Vote Early

August 24, 2026

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber is urging voters to cast their ballots early for the November 2026 general election to help counter attacks on voting and ensure all votes are properly counted. Speaking at a UC Sacramento event, Weber emphasized that California's existing voter verification system, which includes registration checks and signature matching for mail ballots, already provides adequate election security. Meanwhile, Senator Alex Padilla and Democratic leaders are campaigning against Proposition 39, a ballot measure that would require government-issued photo identification for voting, calling it voter suppression.

Who is affected

California voters
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber and her office staff
State election officials
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas
Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio
Reform California (political action committee)
UC students and the broader University of California community

What action is being taken

Secretary of State Shirley Weber's office is working to combat misinformation, expand voter outreach, and maintain ballot security
State election officials have been working since the June primary to provide voters with information to help them participate in the general election
Senator Alex Padilla and Democratic leaders are campaigning against Proposition 39
Reform California and Carl DeMaio are campaigning for Proposition 39 (the Voter Identification, Citizenship Verification, and Registered Voter List Administration Initiative)

Why it matters

This matters because it addresses fundamental questions about election security and voting access in California, the nation's most populous state. The debate over Proposition 39 reflects a national tension between concerns about election integrity and fears of voter suppression. The outcome could significantly affect how millions of Californians cast their ballots and whether additional barriers to voting are established. California's approach to election security may also influence other states' policies, making this a bellwether issue for democracy and voting rights across the country.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint