New California law bars cities from implementing voter ID requirements

Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken aim at Huntington Beach with a new law that prevents the governing body overseeing elections in California from requiring voter identification at the polls.

In March, voters in the beachside city approved a measure requiring residents to show valid identification when casting a ballot. The measure, which impacts city elections, is expected to go into effect in 2026.

In April, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach, claiming the voter-approved measure “unlawfully conflicts with and is preempted by state law.”

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“State election law already contains robust voter ID requirements with strong protections to prevent voter fraud while ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot without hardship. Imposing unnecessary obstacles to voter participation disproportionately burdens low-income voters, voters of color, young or elderly voters, and people with disabilities.”  Bonta previously said in a statement.

The new law, SB 1174, was introduced by state Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine).

“We cannot have 100 different charter cities making up 100 different sets of voting rules based on fringe conspiracy theories,” Min told the Los Angeles Times.

Huntington Beach City Atty. Michael Gates has argued that the city’s charter city status allows it to regulate local elections as it sees fit, the Times reported. However, the new law states that it will “apply to all cities, including charter cities.”

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