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Assembly rejects AB 25, a sweeping voter ID and election overhaul after heated debate
Summary
Lawmakers debated AB 25 — a broad package of voter ID, citizenship verification, signature-audit and expedited-count rules — for more than two hours before voting to defeat the bill. Supporters said it would restore public confidence; opponents said it would suppress voters and target communities of color.
Assemblymember Anthony DeMio’s proposal, AB 25, to require citizenship verification at registration and require government-issued identification for returned ballots failed after extended debate in the Assembly Elections Committee on May 20, 2025.
The bill’s author framed AB 25 as nonpartisan election-cleanup legislation intended to restore public trust. “Assembly Bill 25 would bring California in line with 28 other states that require voter ID,” DeMio said while presenting a report he said showed errors in California’s voter rolls. He proposed additional measures including random audits of county voter lists, a requirement that counties count ballots within 72 hours, and restrictions on third‑party ballot handling.
Supporters argued the bill would address perceived problems in the state’s elections and…
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