California Sues Huntington Beach Over Voter ID Requirement At Polling Stations

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday filed a lawsuit against the city of Huntington Beach after voters there passed a charter amendment in the March primary that would require residents to show an ID in order to cast a ballot.

Why Measure A is controversial

Measure A, the charter amendment, passed with more than 53% of the vote. Supporters say it will restore trust in elections. But Bonta said the state is suing the city because the amendment “threatens the constitutionally protected right to vote.”

Bonta added that the measure is based on “unfounded” claims of “widespread voter fraud in California” and that the state is seeking to invalidate the charter amendment before it goes into effect in 2026.

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“State election law already contains robust voter ID requirements with strong protections to prevent voter fraud, while ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot without hardship," Bonta said.

Pushback on the measure

In September, Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber sent a letter to the Huntington Beach in September threatening “appropriate action” if the measure was implemented.

Weber called the law harmful to voters, "especially low-income, the elderly, people of color, those with disabilities, and young voters.”

"If we have this law in place, my father, my mother, my grandmother, none of them would have the right to vote," Weber said. "Because they didn't have and still don't have documentation of their birth. They were born in the fields of Arkansas."

Earlier this month, California Senate Bill (SB) 1174 passed the Senate Elections Committee. The bill authored by Sen. Dave Min, whose district encompasses Huntington Beach, states that state law supersedes city law in election verification requirements. If the bill is signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it will also invalidate Measure A.

What Huntington Beach officials say

In a statement to LAist, Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said the state lawsuit is in "direct conflict" with the Senate bill.

"That blatant inconsistency speaks volumes," Gates said. He added that the California Constitution allows Huntington Beach to make the charter amendment based for local elections.

"The people of Huntington Beach have made their voices clear on this issue and the people's decision on the March 5th ballot measures for election integrity is final," Gates said. "To that end, the City will vigorously uphold and defend the will of the people."