California Huntington Beach Voter Identification Challenge

Lawsuit filed on behalf of the people of the state of California through California Attorney General Rob Bonata (D) and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) against the City of Huntington Beach and Huntington Beach City Clerk Robin Estanislau challenging Huntington Beach’s Measure A. Measure A, approved by a majority of Huntington Beach voters during the March 5, 2024 primary elections, amended the Huntington Beach City Charter to require voters to provide voter identification to participate in all municipal elections, beginning in 2026. 

Huntington Beach regularly holds local elections during the same time as statewide general elections, and that Measure A could effectively bar voters without voter identification from state and federal elections held on the same days.

The plaintiffs allege that the California Constitution gives the state legislature exclusive authority to make laws regarding voter registration and eligibility. They also allege that California already requires voters to provide identification when they first register to vote. The plaintiffs argue this law violates the state’s constitution because statewide laws supersede local laws like Measure A. The plaintiffs ask the court to permanently block Measure A and direct Huntington Beach officials not to enforce it.

STATUS: California filed this complaint on April 15, 2024. Huntington Beach has not responded yet.

Last updated: April 16, 2024 9:09 am EST