CA Sues To Overturn Huntington Beach's New Voter ID Measure
By: Shawn Fleetwood (The Federalist)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Huntington Beach on Monday in an effort to prevent a voter ID law passed by city residents from taking effect.
"The right to freely cast your vote is the foundation of our democracy and Huntington Beach's voter ID policy flies in the face of this principle," Bonta, a Democrat, baselessly claimed during a press conference.
Passed by city voters during last month's California primaries, Huntington Beach Measure A amends the city charter by authorizing the local government to require electors to provide identification to vote in municipal elections. The provision — which won't take effect until 2026 — also allows the city to "provide more in-person voting locations" and "monitor ballot drop-boxes."
The initiative was originally proposed and passed by Huntington Beach's city council late last year before it was sent to voters for approval.
Prior to the council's passage of the measure, Bonta sent a letter to Huntington Beach's leading officials in September, claiming the measure "conflicts with state law." He also regurgitated the debunked lie that voter ID measures "serve to suppress voter participation" and threatened to take "action" if the city council failed to withdraw the proposal.
Filed in Orange County Superior Court on Monday, Bonta's suit contends that local laws such as Huntington Beach's voter ID provision are "preempted and invalid" in matters in which "local law conflicts with state law reasonably tailored to the resolution of a statewide concern."
"Under the California Constitution, the laws of charter cities supersede state law with respect to 'municipal affairs,' but state law is supreme with respect to matters of 'statewide concern,'" the lawsuit reads. "California maintains a uniform and robust legal scheme for protecting the rights of eligible voters and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. These laws preempt the grant of authority under Section 705, subdivision (a)(2) of the Huntington Beach City Charter."
Bonta further argued that Measure A "conflicts with state law concerning voter eligibility and the right to cast a ballot," and that requiring city voters to present a form of ID for municipal elections undermines the authority of the California State Legislature, "placing the onus on registered voters to establish their eligibility to vote, and groundlessly challenging the right to vote."
In a statement responding to the lawsuit, Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates told Courthouse News Service the city plans to "vigorously uphold and defend the will of the people."
"The people of Huntington Beach have made their voices clear on this issue and the people's decision on the March 5th ballot measures for election integrity is final," Gates said.
Gates noted how legislation introduced earlier this year by Huntington Beach's Democrat state Sen. Dave Min — seeking to outlaw initiatives like Measure A — proves that Bonta's claims of illegality hold no weight. Min's bill would prohibit local governments "from enacting or enforcing any charter provision, ordinance, or regulation requiring a person to present identification for the purpose of voting or submitting a ballot at any polling place, voting center, or other location where ballots are cast or submitted."
As reported by Courthouse News Service, "Gates said this proves that Bonta [is] wrong — if passing voter ID laws was illegal, why was a new bill necessary?"
Bonta has asked the court to issue a writ of mandate declaring Huntington Beach's new voter ID law invalid and requiring the city "cease its implementation or enforcement." He also requested a permanent injunction preventing the provision's implementation and enforcement, and a declaratory judgment proclaiming it "is preempted by and violates" state law.
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No surprise, a Democrat trying to overrule the people using the debunked lies.
So the party that declares democracy is at risk is once again trying to overthrow democracy. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Sad stuff. The people of Huntington Beach voted FOR it. Screw the state and their candyassed pandering virtue signaling bullshit.
Voter id is pretty standard around the world. No reason for it not to be here,
Evening...ahh nope no ID required here when voting..
Soon as you turn 18 you have to register to go on to the electrol roll..
When voting just tell them your name and address and that's it..given a ballot paper and pencil and off you go and vote..
No dramas, no riots, no sooking X years down the track they were cheated and all done and dusted in a matter of hours..and if there is a change of government no one even bats an eye.
Voting here is compulsory and if you don't you will be fined...
I don't want to speak for Sean, but you have a much different country, a much more united country.
Count your blessings.
Evening...Oh don't worry..we do..🦘
I'm visualizing that nice sunset over Sydney.
The people voted for election integrity.
Even in La La Land!
If California thinks ID to vote is unnecessary then ID should not be required to buy Alcohol, cigarettes, guns or participate in any of their money give away programs,