The Associated Press called Prop 39 at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday, KQED reported. No led 58.5% to 41.4%. ABC7 showed 4,504,016 No votes (59%) to 3,186,400 Yes (41%).
The measure would have required voters to show a government-issued ID at the polls, or write the last four digits of an ID number on their ballot envelope when voting by mail. California currently asks for an ID number only when people register. Prop 39 would also have required the secretary of state and county election officials to verify voters' citizenship and report annually on it.
Supporters argued the change would build confidence in elections. Opponents said it would add hurdles for eligible voters and that California's existing signature checks and registration rules already guard against fraud.
The AP call means the measure has failed even as counties keep tallying late ballots.
All results are unofficial election-night and early-morning counts as of Wednesday, Nov. 4. Counties keep counting mail and provisional ballots for days, and certification comes later, so margins can shift, especially in close contests.