California Officials Appeal Court Ruling Allowing Huntington Beach Voter ID Law

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber have filed an appeal challenging Huntington Beach’s voter ID law, Measure A, which requires voters to present photo identification in municipal elections starting in 2026. The state argues that state law supersedes local laws in matters concerning the right to vote, asserting that Measure A conflicts with state election laws and is therefore invalid. Despite more than 53% of Huntington Beach voters approving the measure in 2024, California officials maintain that local governments cannot impose voter ID requirements that contradict statewide election laws, referencing Senate Bill 1174 which bars local election officials from requiring photo ID. The state’s appeal follows a lower court’s decision that allowed the city to enforce Measure A, a ruling the state hopes to overturn in the California Fourth District Court of Appeal. Huntington Beach contends it has the authority to govern municipal elections independently, but state officials warn the voter ID law could disrupt upcoming elections and emphasize the importance of uniform election regulations statewide. Both Bonta and Weber emphasize their commitment to protecting voting rights and ensuring election integrity by opposing what they view as unlawful local election policies.