The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors want voter identification for all elections and to eliminate same-day voter registration.

The board approved letters Tuesday that are being sent to state and federal leaders urging the changes to election laws.

These measures aim to enhance election integrity, control costs, and bolster public confidence in the electoral process.

"We consistently hear from our constituents on this issue and recognize the importance of bolstering voter confidence in our elections," said Board Chair Paul Canepa. "The Election Advisory Committee's efforts played a key role in guiding this Board to its decision."

Currently, 36 states have laws that request or require voters to present identification at the polls. Additionally, more than half of U.S. states do not allow same-day voter registration. 

While same-day registration was originally implemented to increase voter accessibility, it has presented administrative challenges and contributed to delays in election certification.

California law allows people to register and vote with a provisional ballot up to 14 days before an election, including Election Day.

 However, processing provisional ballots requires additional staff time, resources, and costs, as each ballot must be verified before it is counted. Both the California Secretary of State and the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters websites say the registration deadline is 14 days before the election. This discrepancy, the board noted, needs to be fixed to make the rules clear, consistent, and more efficient.

District Four Supervisor Steve Ding, who led the effort by bringing this item to the Board, emphasized, “Requiring ID to vote is simply common sense — it’s needed for everyday tasks, so why not for something as important as voting? Same-day registration only adds confusion and costs more to verify voters. Enforcing registration deadlines helps save taxpayer money.”

On Jan. 9. the San Joaquin County Election Advisory Committee (EAC) unanimously approved a recommendation supporting these election law changes. The Board of Supervisors reviewed the EAC’s recommendation on January 28, 2025 and requested the opportunity to review draft letters before finalizing its action.

The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors is advocating for these reforms to promote transparency and public confidence in the election process.