Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber publicly addressed the Orange County Superior Court's decision regarding Huntington Beach's Measure A. The court denied the state's petition for a writ of mandate to challenge the voter ID law amendment in the city. Measure A, which claims to enforce voter ID requirements at municipal polls starting in 2026, is said to be unsupported by evidence of significant voter fraud and allegedly contradicts state law.

Attorney General Bonta expressed disagreement with the ruling, stating, "Yet again, we believe the Orange County Superior Court got it wrong." He referenced a previous opinion from the California Fourth District Court of Appeal, which criticized Huntington Beach's stance on regulating its own elections without state oversight. Bonta asserted confidence in appealing the decision and having Measure A invalidated.

Secretary of State Weber echoed Bonta's sentiment, emphasizing the importance of voting access. "The Court got it wrong. Access to the ballot box is a key component of our democracy," she remarked. Weber committed to advocating for California voters alongside Bonta.

The state plans to proceed with appealing the court's decision, maintaining that it conflicts with existing California election laws. An official copy of the court's order is available for public access.