Days after a Orange County Judge ruled against California’s lawsuit against the City of Huntington Beach voter ID requirement, Attorney General Rob Bonta was critical of the courts decision.
He said the City of Huntington Beach Measure A, a voter ID requirement beginning in 2026, unlawfully conflicts with and is preempted by state law. Measure A passed with 53.40% in favor.
Attorney General Bonta Issues Statement on Latest Development Regarding Huntington Beach’s Unlawful Voter ID Policy
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement in response to the Orange County Superior Court’s recent decision regarding Huntington Beach’s unlawful voter identification (voter ID) law, Measure A. Measure A amended the city’s charter to purportedly allow the city to impose voter ID requirements at the polls for all municipal elections starting in 2026.
“Under both existing law and Senate Bill 1174, all local governments — including charter cities like Huntington Beach — are prohibited from disenfranchising voters at the polls by implementing voter ID requirements,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Let me be clear: that has not changed. We disagree with the court’s decision that it is too early to bring our lawsuit, and remain confident in the strength of our case.”
Filed by Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. on April 15, 2024, the state’s lawsuit alleges that Measure A unlawfully conflicts with and is preempted by state law. Under the California Constitution, charter cities have the right to govern “municipal affairs,” but local law cannot conflict with state law governing a “statewide concern.” The state asserts that both the integrity of California’s elections and the protection of the constitutional right to vote are matters of statewide concern.
Authored by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) and recently enacted by the Legislature, Senate Bill 1174 reinforces existing prohibitions on local voter ID laws.
A copy of the court’s decision can be found here. The decision allows the Attorney General and Secretary of State 20 days to file an amended petition.
Mayor’s Statement Regarding Superior Court’s Dismissal of State’s Voter ID Lawsuit
Please see statement below on behalf of Huntington Beach Mayor, Gracey Van Der Mark regarding today’s Superior Court decision to dismiss the State’s lawsuit challenging the City’s Voter ID law:
Today, the Superior Court granted the City’s motion to dismiss the State’s lawsuit challenging the City’s new Voter ID law. This is a great day for our City – we have not only successfully defended our City’s Voter ID law, but also the rights of our residents from attacks by Governor Newsom and the State. We will not back down and will continue to fight for the City. Thank you to City Attorney Michael Gates for his legal acumen and effective advocacy. Great job!
City Attorney Michael Gates said, “the Court’s rejection is right. While we anticipate this fight isn’t over, we are pleased with the Court’s fair and just evaluation of the weakness of the State’s legal case. It’s always an honor to fight for Huntington Beach, for the integrity of our elections systems, and for just outcomes under the law.”
Impartial Analysis City of Huntington Beach Measure A (Voter ID Policy)
CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE 1
This proposed Charter amendment, if adopted, would amend the Charter related to City elections. Huntington Beach is a Charter City which is authorized by the State Constitution to determine how it conducts City elections. The Charter currently provides that all elections shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the California Elections Code, so far as they do not conflict with the Charter.
This ballot measure proposes to amend Section 702 of the Charter to provide that in the event of a conflict between the Elections Code and the Charter, the provisions of the Charter shall control and prevail. This ballot measure also proposes to add new Section 705 to the Charter, which would: reaffirm the Charter’s authority over the term of the City’s elective officers, their length of term and their election cycle; and beginning in 2026, define the qualifications of an Elector in a City election as a United States citizen at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the City on or before the day of an election.
This ballot measure would also authorize, but not require, the City to: verify the eligibility of Electors by voter identification; provide at least 20 ADA compliant voting locations for in-person voting dispersed throughout the City, in addition to any City facility voting locations; and monitor ballot drop boxes located within the City for compliance with all applicable laws.
The adoption of this Measure may result in additional, currently undetermined costs to the City, because the City does not currently perform the described election activities; if the Measure is adopted, and the City chooses to implement the described election activities, it will increase the City’s election related costs in an amount that cannot be precisely determined at this time.
A “yes” vote on this measure would add new Section 705 to the Charter, and add the conflict resolution language to current Section 702. A “no” vote on this measure would not add new Section 705, and leave Section 702 in place as it currently exists.
This Measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council. (Source)
Previous Voter ID Policy Stories:
- October 1, 2024 – Governor Signs Bill Banning Voter ID
- Feb 16, 2024 – Bill Would Prevent Unlawful Voter ID Requirements
3 comments
A reasonable requirement to prove that you are who you claim to be is not “disenfranchisement.” More Bonta BS.
So what bonta boi is saying is the ILLEGALS with no ID have as much ,if not more rights than a American Citizen .
Voter ID is one necessary tool to ensure fair elections. SB 1174 banning voter ID is implemented by corrupt politicians and can possibly have only one purpose, election fraud. Also, Measure A allowing voter ID requirements was voted in by the people. If you want to vote and don’t have an ID, get one.
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