• A majority of California voters support requiring first-time voters to show proof of citizenship, revealing bipartisan agreement on the issue.
• Significant partisan divide exists regarding the integrity of California's election system, with Republicans expressing considerable distrust compared to Democrats.
• The poll highlights ongoing tensions between California and the Trump administration over election regulations, including lawsuits and debates over federal control.

A new poll conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, has revealed that a majority of California voters support requiring first-time voters to show proof of citizenship. This finding is notable because it crosses party lines, with significant support from both Democrats and Republicans. The poll also explores voter confidence in the state's election system and opinions on federal intervention in state elections, revealing stark partisan divisions on these broader issues. The poll was conducted against the backdrop of President Trump's executive order on election integrity, which has faced legal challenges from California and other states.

• What: A poll revealing Californian voters' opinions on election integrity, voter ID laws, and federal intervention in state elections, focusing on bipartisan support for proof of citizenship for first-time voters.
• Who: The poll was conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Key individuals include Mark DiCamillo (co-director of the Berkeley IGS Poll), Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, Dean C. Logan, and Rick Hasen (UCLA Law School).
• When: The poll was conducted between April 21-28, 2025. President Trump's executive order was issued on March 25, 2025.
• Where: California, with a focus on the opinions of registered voters in the state.

The poll results highlight a complex and nuanced view of election integrity among California voters. While there is bipartisan support for requiring first-time voters to prove citizenship, this agreement does not extend to other election-related issues. The significant partisan divide regarding the integrity of the state's election system, with Republicans expressing considerable distrust, underscores the challenges facing election officials. The ongoing legal battles between California and the Trump administration over election regulations further complicate the picture. The poll suggests that while Californians are generally confident in their state's election system, this confidence is not universally shared, and partisan divisions continue to shape opinions on election-related issues.

It is significant to me that the Republicans in this state are not of that view. And that’s something that has to be dealt with. In an election system, you want both sides to be on board.

Overwhelmingly, voters support this ballot measure. The only people who don’t support it? Sacramento politicians.

Party supporters tend to follow their elites, and the top of the Republican Party has been making false and unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud for decades now. It’s no surprise that it’s seeped through to the electorate.

The California poll reveals a divided electorate on election integrity issues, with bipartisan support for proof of citizenship for first-time voters but significant partisan divisions on broader topics like voter fraud and federal intervention. Republican distrust in the state's election system remains a key concern. Ongoing legal challenges to Trump's election regulations and proposed ballot measures on voter ID suggest that debates over election integrity will continue to shape California's political landscape.