California has filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach over the city’s controversial voter ID law, which requires voters to show photo identification in local elections starting in 2026. The 320-page lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court, accuses Huntington Beach of violating California’s Constitution and state election code.

Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta held a news conference in downtown Los Angeles to address the issue, stating that Huntington Beach’s charter does not exempt the city from following state laws governing voter registration and election integrity. Bonta emphasized that the photo identification requirement is not only misguided but blatantly illegal, accusing the city of willfully violating the law.

The voter ID law, known as Measure A, was approved by voters in Huntington Beach with 53.4% support on the March 5 ballot. The city’s attorney, Michael Gates, stated that the city will vigorously defend the will of the people and uphold the new law.

This lawsuit is just the latest in a series of clashes between California and Huntington Beach. Over the past few years, the conservative beach town has made headlines for its stance against COVID-19 restrictions, zoning requirements, immigration laws, and now, voter ID regulations.

Despite warnings from the California Secretary of State and Attorney General, Huntington Beach proceeded with placing the voter ID measure on the ballot. The law requires voters to verify their identities when registering to vote, but does not mandate photo identification at the polls.

In response to the lawsuit, Huntington Beach residents, civil rights organizations, and the ACLU have raised concerns about the potential impact of voter ID laws on marginalized communities. A resident filed a lawsuit to block the measure, arguing that it imposes severe burdens on Black, Latino, and low-income voters.

While a judge declined to stop the measure from appearing on the ballot, he noted that its implementation could raise constitutional issues, which may require judicial review. The state’s lawsuit against Huntington Beach focuses on the legality of the voter ID law, but also raises concerns about monitoring ballot drop boxes.

As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are on Huntington Beach to see how the controversial voter ID law will be implemented. State officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure compliance with election laws and to protect the rights of all voters.

In conclusion, the clash between California and Huntington Beach over the voter ID law reflects broader tensions around voting rights and election integrity. The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications not only for Huntington Beach but also for debates over voter ID laws across the country.