The Huntington Beach City Clerk's race is hot — because of voter ID

This year's race for city clerk in Huntington Beach is hotly contested — perhaps for the first time ever. That's largely because the winner will be tasked with implementing the city's new law requiring voters to show ID at the polls.

Why the race matters

In March, Huntington Beach residents passed a measure allowing the city to require voters to show ID before casting a ballot. It also calls for the city to monitor ballot drop boxes and add more in-person polling locations.

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State officials are suing the city, saying the voter ID requirement violates state election law. They say the state already has robust measures for ensuring a voter's identification, and that requiring ID at polls could disenfranchise low-income, elderly and other voting groups.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also signed a bill in September prohibiting local governments from requiring voter ID at polling places. Huntington Beach's city attorney and mayor have vowed to implement the city's voter ID measure anyway.

The new city clerk would be in charge of the mechanics of implementing voter ID, if the city tries to do so. Regardless, whoever wins the clerk's race will be at the center of the contentious debate over voter ID.

Who's running for city clerk, anyway?

Regina Blankenhorn currently works for the city of Tustin as an executive coordinator. She is supported by the O.C. Democratic Party and the outgoing Huntington Beach City Clerk, among others. She has touted her experience in city government and says she's committed to ensuring elections that are "safe and secure" and "free and fair."

Her opponent is Lisa Lane Barnes, a businesswoman who serves on the city's Community and Library Services Commission. She is supported by the O.C. Republican Party and the city's four-person conservative City Council bloc, among others. She has made upholding the voter ID measure a key part of her platform.

Proof that this year is different

Four out of the last five elections for city clerk in Huntington Beach weren't even contested — there was only one candidate.

The outgoing city clerk, Robin Estanislau, said the only money she spent on her last elections, in 2016 and 2020, was to file a candidate statement to be included in the election guide.

This year, both candidates have received more than $40,000 in contributions to spend on their respective campaigns.