California Court Strikes Down Huntington Beach's Voter ID Requirement
A California appeals court has struck down a voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach, a city known as 'Surf City USA'. The ruling, which aligns with a state law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, has been met with review by the city's officials.
The appeals court's decision overturned a measure passed by Huntington Beach voters in 2020. This measure mandated voter ID at the polls starting in 2026, alongside increased in-person voting sites and ballot drop box monitoring. The initiative was challenged by resident Mark Bixby and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who argued it conflicted with state law and could hinder voting for certain groups.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta welcomed the ruling, stating that the measure could disenfranchise voters. He had previously filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach, asserting that the local measure contradicted state law. The city, which has a history of disputes with state officials over local measures, is dominated by the Republican Party, with nearly 57,000 registered voters compared to 41,000 Democrats.
Huntington Beach city officials are currently reviewing the appeals court's ruling. The city, which approved the voter ID requirement in 2020, will need to adjust its voting procedures in light of the court's decision.
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