A California judge has upheld Huntington Beach’s voter ID law, dealing a significant blow to state officials who sought to block the measure and setting the stage for a legal showdown over local election control.
Key Takeaways
- Orange County Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas ruled that Huntington Beach’s voter ID requirement for municipal elections is legal and does not violate state law or the 14th Amendment.
- The ruling affirms that charter cities in California have constitutional authority to implement their own voter ID laws for local elections.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to appeal the decision, expressing confidence the law will eventually be overturned.
- The case highlights the tension between local control and state authority, with implications for other charter cities across California.
- President Trump has suggested federal aid to California could be conditioned on adopting voter ID requirements statewide.
Court Upholds Local Control in Election Procedures
In a significant victory for voter ID proponents, Orange County Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas ruled that Huntington Beach’s charter amendment requiring voter identification falls within the constitutional powers of charter cities to control their own election procedures. The decision marks the second time state challenges to the city’s voter ID requirement have failed in court, underscoring the legal distinction between municipal affairs and statewide concerns. The judge found that “There is no showing that a voter identification requirement compromises the integrity of a municipal election,” rejecting arguments from state officials that the measure would disenfranchise voters.
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The ruling hinges on California’s constitutional provisions that allow charter city ordinances to supersede state law in municipal affairs. For state law to override local ordinances, it must address a matter of statewide concern and be reasonably related to resolving that concern. Judge Dourbetas determined that no such statewide concern exists regarding voter ID requirements for purely municipal elections, which don’t affect state or federal races. The measure, approved by Huntington Beach voters, is scheduled to take effect in 2026, though specific implementation details haven’t yet been announced.
State Officials Promise Appeal
California state officials have expressed strong opposition to the court’s decision. Attorney General Rob Bonta immediately announced plans to appeal, stating, “Yet again, we believe the Orange County Superior Court got it wrong. Now that we have a final order from the Orange County Superior Court, we look forward to moving on and appealing the decision. We remain confident that Measure A will ultimately be struck down.” This sets the stage for what could become a protracted legal battle through the state’s appellate system, potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.
“The Court got it wrong. Access to the ballot box is a key component of our democracy,” said Secretary of State Shirley Weber.
The state’s opposition follows Governor Newsom’s earlier signing of legislation explicitly banning local voter ID requirements. That law was passed after Huntington Beach adopted its ordinance, creating a direct conflict between state and local authority. A three-judge panel had previously found the city’s argument for election autonomy “problematic” and asked for reconsideration of an earlier ruling, but Judge Dourbetas remained firm in his position supporting local control. The case highlights Huntington Beach’s ongoing resistance to California’s policies on various issues, including coronavirus restrictions and immigration.
Broader Implications for Election Integrity
The ruling carries significant implications beyond Huntington Beach, potentially influencing other charter cities throughout California. Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns celebrated the decision, saying, “This is a huge victory not only for our City but charter cities throughout the State. We will not back down in our efforts to secure local control over our local issues and will continue to fight for the City.” The case also coincides with broader national debates about election integrity, with President Trump issuing an executive order on the subject that Huntington Beach lawyers referenced in their arguments.
“This is a huge victory not only for our City but charter cities throughout the State,” Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns said.
In their legal arguments, the city cited the U.S. Supreme Court case Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, which previously upheld the constitutionality of voter ID requirements. Meanwhile, Republican leaders have launched efforts for a statewide ballot initiative to implement voter ID requirements across California, citing public support for such measures. President Trump has suggested that federal aid to California could potentially be conditioned on adopting voter ID requirements statewide, adding federal pressure to the ongoing state-level dispute over election procedures and local control.
Sources:
- California city again defeats state case against voter ID law
- Judge sides with Huntington Beach in voter ID case. Here’s what it means | LAist
- Judge upholds Huntington Beach voter ID law in clash with state officials
