Voters in Riverside appear to reject ID law and billionaire tax in statewide vote

Voters in Riverside and across California appeared to reject two major ballot measures on Wednesday night, with early returns showing strong opposition to a new voter ID requirement and a one-time tax on billionaires.

According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 39, which would require photo identification for in-person voting and specific government ID numbers on mail ballots, stood at 41.3 percent support. The opposing side held 58.7 percent of the vote. Proposition 40, which proposed a one-time wealth tax on individuals with over one billion dollars in assets, lagged behind at 43.9 percent support against 56.1 percent opposition.

The voter ID measure, supported by the Reform California group, aimed to verify identities by checking the last four digits of a government ID against registration records. Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, who chairs the group, called the initiative a common-sense way to restore trust in the election system. Opponents, including the League of Women Voters of California, argued the changes would make voting harder and riskier. Executive director Jenny Farrell stated that the measure was designed to create barriers for eligible voters who might lack proper ID or make entry errors.

The billionaire tax measure, sponsored by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, would have targeted California residents who were billionaires as of January 1, 2026. The tax, due in 2027, would have directed 90 percent of the revenue to health care. Campaign estimates projected roughly $100 billion in total revenue from about 200 billionaires. Andres Gonzalez, a health care worker from Maywood, said the measure would help keep hospitals and emergency rooms open despite federal funding cuts. Opponents, including the California Children’s Hospital Association, warned that a one-time tax would not provide long-term stability for the health care system.

Two other propositions were tied to the billionaire tax. Proposition 41, which would require audits for special tax programs, stood at 47.7 percent support. Proposition 42, which would ban new state taxes on retirement savings, led with 54.6 percent support. If either of these measures passed with more yes votes than Proposition 40, the billionaire tax would be nullified even if it received a majority of the vote.

Voters also weighed in on several financial measures. Proposition 1, authorizing $11.25 billion in bonds for affordable housing, led with 59.2 percent support. Proposition 2, which would double the state’s rainy-day fund cap, was supported by 59.5 percent of voters. Proposition 3, making permanent the higher income tax rates for the wealthiest two percent of taxpayers, stood at 58.5 percent support. The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates this measure would preserve between $5 billion and $15 billion in annual revenue.

Proposition 37, allowing $25 billion in bonds for second mortgages to help homebuyers, received 60.8 percent support. Proposition 38, authorizing $8.4 billion in bonds for immunology research, drew 56.0 percent support. In contrast, Proposition 4, allowing public campaign financing, and Proposition 43, requiring two-thirds approval for certain local taxes, both trailed in early returns with 47.9 percent and 45.3 percent support, respectively.

The final results will determine whether the state adds new identification rules to its election process or imposes a temporary tax on its wealthiest residents. The state also decided whether to increase its emergency reserves and extend high income tax rates that were set to expire in 2031.

Election officials continue to count remaining ballots, including those cast by mail, to finalize the statewide totals. The Secretary of State’s office will release the certified results as all counties report their final tallies.