Officials in California announced that a proposal to tighten voter requirements will appear on the November ballot, asking residents to weigh in on new rules around registration and identification.

The measure would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to show identification at polling places. It comes as debates continue across the U.S. over election security and how to ensure only eligible voters participate.

Although critics have raised concerns about election integrity in the past, studies consistently show voter fraud is rare nationwide. Instances of noncitizens voting have been documented but are uncommon and often attributed to mistakes rather than deliberate attempts to influence elections.

California, where most people vote by mail, is known for lengthy vote counts as officials prioritize accuracy and inclusiveness. Results in major elections can take weeks to finalize.

The proposed changes arrive during a high-stakes election cycle, with voters set to choose the state’s next governor and as control of Congress hangs in the balance.

Opponents argue that stricter rules could create barriers, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, and those without access to identification like driver’s licenses.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has continued to dispute the outcome of the 2020 United States presidential election, despite courts, audits, and reviews—including those by his own administration—finding no evidence of widespread fraud. In Congress, Republicans have backed similar proposals requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

Supporters of the California initiative, including Tony Strickland, say the changes would improve confidence in elections. They argue that identification is already required for many routine activities and note that numerous states and countries have voter ID laws in place.

If approved, the proposal would also affect mail-in voting by requiring voters to provide the last four digits of a government-issued ID, such as a Social Security number.

Currently, California is one of 14 states, along with Washington, D.C., that do not require voter identification either at registration or at the polls.