California state officials are suing Huntington Beach, California, over a ballot measure that the city’s voters adopted requiring voter identification for municipal elections.
Following last month’s passage of Ballot Measure A, the Southern California city’s municipal elections would, starting in 2026, “demand voter identification for elections; provide more in-person voting places; and supervise ballot drop-boxes.” California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Attorney General Rob Bonta contended in a state court lawsuit on Monday that the voter ID requirement violates state law.
Weber stated in a statement that “this voter ID bill contradicts state law.” “Laws such as these are detrimental to California voters, particularly the poor, the elderly, people of color, people with disabilities, and young voters. Not only is it a remedy looking for a problem,
The two reiterated their earlier warning to the city in 2023 that they believed the ballot proposal would violate state law in their complaint, which they filed on Monday. The ballot item does not affect the city’s voter ID laws for state or federal elections. The application requests that a state Superior Court prohibit the city from putting Measure A’s voter ID requirement into effect and enforcing it.
“Every eligible voter can cast their ballot without hardship because state election law already provides stringent voter ID requirements with strong protections to deter voter fraud,” Bonta said in a statement.
“We’re requesting that the court stop Huntington Beach from taking an illegal action that could depress or deny voters their right to vote. The right to vote is a fundamental component of our democracy, and the California Department of Justice is prepared to protect it,” he continued.
Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that the city will “vigorously enforce and defend” the measure as part of their response to the lawsuit.
“Huntington Beach residents have clearly voiced their opinions on this matter, and their choice regarding the ballot measures for election integrity on March 5th is final.” In light of this, the city will zealously preserve and protect the people’s will, according to a statement from Gates.
According to Gates, there is a bill being considered by a Democratic state legislator that would illegalize voter ID laws at the municipal level. This goes against Bonta’s argument that the present legislation in Huntington Beach prohibits voter ID. Gates also mentioned that the city has the freedom to hold local elections in any way they see fit, thanks to the state constitution.
“Senator David Min’s new bill, which seeks to outlaw voter ID in Huntington Beach, is in direct contrast with the Attorney General’s press release, which claims that the city’s voter ID requirements break state law. In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Gates added, “That flagrant discrepancy speaks volumes.”
“The California Constitution, Article XI, Section 5(b), for local elections, provides the City of Huntington Beach with the authority to implement the voter ID program and other election measures approved by the voters on March 5th to up voter participation by mandating 20 additional in-person polling spots and watching ballot drop boxes,” he continued.
In the largely Democratic Golden State, one of the Republican strongholds is Huntington Beach. In March, the city’s voters not only approved Measure A but also decided to limit the number of flags allowed on city grounds.
