California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber have announced plans to appeal a recent decision by the Orange County Superior Court regarding Huntington Beach's voter identification law, Measure A. The measure, which amends the city's charter, seeks to impose voter ID requirements for municipal elections starting in 2026. This comes despite no evidence suggesting regular fraudulent voting or compromised election outcomes in the city.
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 a state appellate court's timely review as preparations for the 2026 elections will begin next year.
Secretary of State Weber criticized Measure A as unnecessary, 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." She reiterated their commitment to challenging what they see as an action violating state law.
The Orange County Superior Court had previously ruled on November 15 that the state's lawsuit against Huntington Beach was "not ripe for adjudication," noting that Measure A currently poses no conflict with state election laws due to its permissive nature. The court allowed Bonta and Weber 20 days to file an amended petition but did not enter judgment.
In response, Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber filed a Request for Entry of Judgment today. They chose not to amend their complaint within the given timeframe and seek an appealable judgment promptly to address issues before planning for upcoming elections begins. They have informed Huntington Beach about this request.
A copy of the Request for Entry of Judgment is available online.