Voter ID, proof of citizenship qualify as California ballot measures for November

The Republican-backed measure comes as President Donald Trump presses Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a sweeping elections bill with similar provisions.

LOS ANGELES — A proposal that would require California to verify proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote — and require voters to provide identification at polling places — will appear on the November ballot, state officials announced Friday.

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The announcement comes amid a national debate over election security and what type of requirements voters should face to show they are qualified to cast a ballot. In Congress, Republicans are pushing a strict proof-of-citizenship proposal for residents to vote, encouraged by President Donald Trump.

The California plan — also backed by Republicans — is being pitched as a common sense idea to strengthen confidence in voting in a vast state with more than 23 million people registered to cast a ballot. State officials said its backers submitted sufficient petition signatures to qualify for the November ballot.