Shirley Weber, California secretary of state candidate, 2026 election questionnaire – Daily News

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.

Name: Shirley Weber

Age: 78

Current job title: Secretary of State

Political party affiliation: Democratic

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: San Diego Board of Education (1988-1996); State Assembly (2012-2021)

City where you reside: San Diego

Campaign website or social media: drshirleyweber.com

Do you believe concerns about voter fraud and the integrity of California’s elections are legitimate? If so, what is your plan to address this issue? If not, how do you plan to reassure California residents that the state’s elections are free and fair? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

No, those concerns are not legitimate. Voter fraud is unbelievably rare and does not happen on a large scale, and California elections are free and fair. The best thing that could happen to reassure voters would be for the president to stop lying, but that seems unlikely to happen given his temperament. Absent that, I will continue to be transparent and fair – our office investigates any claims of election irregularities, and we work tirelessly to get it right.

Proposition 39, which calls for additional identification and U.S. citizenship verification requirements when voting, is on the November ballot. Supporters say it will help prevent voter fraud and maintain the integrity of elections. Critics worry that people who are eligible to vote but may, for example, lack proper documentation may be denied a ballot, and that this might lead to voter suppression. Meanwhile, a Pew Research Center survey last year found 83% of all respondents favored requiring voters to present a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. Explain why you support or oppose this measure. Should this measure pass, explain what specific steps you would take as secretary of state to guard against voter suppression concerns raised by critics of this ballot initiative. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

I oppose Prop 39 because it is unnecessary. Californians already have to present valid identification to register to vote in the first place. Voter fraud is unbelievably rare and does not happen on a large scale. This measure will depress turnout by making it harder to exercise the franchise in order to solve a fake problem. If the measure passes, I will dutifully enforce the law to the best of my abilities, as I do now and as I would with any other law, and integrate it with our existing processes.

Additionally, there are concerns that should the voter ID measure pass, it could lead to identity theft given that voters would need to list the last four digits of their ID on a mailed ballot envelope. Should this ballot measure pass, what can the secretary of state do to ensure voters’ information is protected and safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

This is an excellent reason to vote no on Proposition 39. There are several options available, including flaps that cover personal information. But it is a poorly written measure with many flaws, including this one, and I have serious concerns about how it could be implemented to protect voter privacy. My office already takes serious steps to protect voter privacy, including the use of the last four digits of a Social Security number or California identification card numbers.

Aside from anything related to voter ID, what is a specific policy that you’d support to make voting more accessible to more Californians? And how would you measure whether that is successful? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

The expansion of vote by mail has been a wild success for increasing voter turnout. The last two presidential elections have had the highest voter turnout in the new century, and the last two midterms have had two of the top three highest voter turnouts in the same time period. Unlike my opponent, I strongly support universal vote by mail.

President Donald Trump has sought to reduce vote by mail options. Do you believe California’s voting system needs to change? Are there any reforms you’d like to see to the state’s mail voting system to strengthen election integrity? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

No, and my office is suing him to block those efforts. We’ve won so far in court. He lies about elections like a fish breathes water, and he is only trying to suppress your vote because he is scared of losing. Anytime he loses an election, he makes up a new conspiracy to say why he actually won.

I say: Let’s make it easy to vote so that every eligible voter can cast a ballot. We have good safeguards that balance the desire not to disenfranchise voters with the desire to catch the very, very, very small number of fraud cases that do exist. Ultimately, it’s up to the legislature to change election law, but we know that the reforms we’ve made to our mail voting system since 2018 have only served to increase participation, and people appreciate the option. The system we have works, and I would not recommend changing it as a candidate.

How did you cast your ballot in the primary election: In person, at a vote center or drop box, or through the mail?

I used a drop box at my local library, like so many voters.

Did you feel your vote was safely and accurately counted in the primary election?

Yes, and I want to plug our Ballot Trax system, which allows you to opt in to updates about the status of your ballot (received, counted, etc.). It’s a great way to see in real time where things stand with your personal ballot.

Tell us about a time you’ve changed your mind on a political position. What was it, and what changed your mind? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

I have been an active voter for over 50 years, and I have voted in every election aligning with my beliefs and values. Going from a student, to a professor, to an elected official has brought new ideas, but I have always kept to my core values.

Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

Viola Davis’s “Finding Me” is by far the best book I have read this year. She shares how her career launched because somebody “saw her,” just like how a professor saw me when I was in university — the only Black student in my program — changing the trajectory of my life.