Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber have announced their intention to appeal a recent court decision regarding Huntington Beach's voter identification law, Measure A. The Orange County Superior Court ruled that the state's lawsuit was "not ripe for adjudication," stating that Measure A currently does not conflict with state election laws.

Measure A seeks to amend the city’s charter to impose voter ID requirements at municipal elections starting in 2026, despite no evidence suggesting regular fraudulent voting in Huntington Beach. California requires voters to verify their identity during registration.

Attorney General Bonta stated, "Secretary of State Weber and I continue to believe that Huntington Beach’s voter ID policy is unlawful. That’s why, today, we are announcing our intention to appeal the Orange County Superior Court’s decision holding that it is too early to bring our lawsuit." He emphasized the need for an appellate court's input before preparations for the 2026 elections commence.

Secretary of State Weber expressed concerns about Measure A, saying, "Measure A is a solution in search of a problem. In California, we champion people’s voices, we do not suppress them. We encourage participation in our democracy; we do not burden it."

On November 15, 2024, the court allowed Bonta and Weber 20 days to file an amended petition but did not enter judgment. They have now filed a Request for Entry of Judgment without amending their complaint within the given timeframe.

The filing indicates they "respectfully disagree with the court’s November 15, 2024 order" and seek an appealable judgment swiftly to resolve issues before planning for future elections begins. Huntington Beach has been informed about this request.

A copy of the Request for Entry of Judgment can be found here.