Claims that California allows people to register to vote using gym membership cards circulated after President Donald Trump alleged election fraud following the June 2, 2026, primary. The social media post that helped spread the rumor came from Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, who said the Justice Department sought access to California voter rolls and suggested the state's ID rules were lax.
What the Rules Actually Say
The California Secretary of State — which maintains voter rolls — and state regulations implementing the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) make a clear distinction: a gym membership card does not by itself register a person to vote. Instead, it can be used as one form of documentation to verify identity or residency for first-time voters who registered by mail or online and did not provide a state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
How Verification Works
When someone registers by mail or online, county election officials must verify eligibility before completing the registration. If an applicant provided a California ID number or the last four digits of an SSN, those numbers are checked against DMV and Social Security Administration records. If an applicant provided neither, the state issues a unique identifier and election officials use other documentation — which may include a health club or gym card — to confirm residence and identity the first time the person votes in a federal election.
Permitted Forms Of ID Under HAVA Standards
California's HAVA-compliant list allows a range of photo or non-photo documents for first-time voters who registered without a state ID or SSN. Acceptable photo IDs include:
- Driver's license or identification card of any state
- Passport
- Employee identification card
- Identification card provided by a commercial establishment
- Credit or debit card
- Military identification card
- Student identification card
- Health club or gym identification card
- Insurance plan identification card
- Public housing identification card
Non-photo documents that can help prove residency include utility bills, bank statements, leases, or prescriptions from government care providers.
Context: Lawsuit And Policy Changes
Essayli's post referenced the Justice Department litigation United States v. Shirley Weber, a suit filed in September 2025 that was dismissed in January 2026 and appealed in February 2026. That legal action and public statements about it helped spark renewed attention to California's identification and verification procedures.
Separately, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation in May 2026 that restricts seizure of California voter rolls by law enforcement unless tied to a specific investigation of state election law violations. Officials have said this step protects voters' privacy and the integrity of local voter lists.
Bottom Line
A gym membership card can be accepted as one form of proof of identity or residence for certain first-time federal voters who registered online or by mail without providing a state ID number or SSN, but it does not substitute for completing registration itself. Every registration remains subject to verification by county election officials, and ID numbers provided are checked against state and federal databases.
Snopes and other outlets have reached out to the California Secretary of State's office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for clarification and will update reports if additional details are provided.
