California plans to appeal a judge’s decision rejecting a state lawsuit concerning a voter identification law in Huntington Beach that was passed by voters in March.
The law allows the city of Huntington Beach to require voter identification at the polls starting in 2026, as per the measure passed by the city’s residents.
The big picture: An Orange County Superior Court judge ruled that it was premature for the state to file a lawsuit over the local law at this time.
Driving the news: Along with requiring voter identification, the law allows Huntington Beach to increase the number of voting sites and monitor ballot drop boxes during local elections.
- Huntington Beach, known as “Surf City USA,” has a history of clashes with state authorities over its city charter’s provisions on various issues, with the city council leaning politically conservative and a higher number of registered GOP voters compared to Democrats.
What they’re saying: “With preparations for the 2026 elections beginning late next year, we want and need a state appellate court to weigh in expeditiously,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a statement.
