California officials have announced plans to appeal a judge’s decision rejecting their lawsuit over a voter identification measure passed by the city of Huntington Beach in March. The state will continue to fight the law, which allows the city to implement voter identification requirements in 2026.
In a statement, Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state wants an expedited review from the California Court of Appeal due to preparations for the 2026 elections. Huntington Beach’s city attorney, Michael Gates, supports the court’s ruling and notes that the voting public supported the local measure.
The law also allows the city to increase in-person voting sites and monitor ballot boxes. However, the state claims it violates state law and could disenfranchise certain groups of voters, including poor, non-white, elderly, and disabled individuals. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a state law banning local governments from establishing laws requiring residents to provide identification to vote.
This is not the first time Huntington Beach has clashed with state officials over local regulations. The city has a history of debating issues such as immigration and housing, often with conservative city leaders and a Republican-dominated voter base.
Source: https://gvwire.com/2024/12/05/california-will-appeal-rejection-of-lawsuit-over-huntington-beach-voter-id-law