California Sues OC Coastal City Over Voter ID Measure

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — A lawsuit challenging the legality of a voter-identification measure recently approved by residents of Huntington Beach was announced by the State of California, with officials saying it conflicts with and is preempted by existing state law.

"The right to freely cast your vote is the foundation of our democracy and Huntington Beach's voter ID policy flies in the face of this principle," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

The measure, known as Measure A on the ballot, was passed by a narrow majority of Huntington Beach voters during the March election.

According to the city, the measure amended the city charter to authorize the city to implement a requirement for voters to show identification when casting in-person ballots by 2026. The measure does not automatically enact the requirement.

Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber contend, however, that cities cannot exact local ordinances that conflict with state law, noting that the integrity of elections and protection of the right to vote "are matters of statewide concern."

"This voter ID measure conflicts with state law," Weber said in a statement. "Not only is it a solution in search of a problem, laws like these are harmful to California voters, especially low-income, the elderly, people of color, those with disabilities, and young voters."