The California legislature passed a bill prohibiting local governments from enacting voter identification laws for municipal elections, effectively overriding a voter ID requirement set by Huntington Beach for its 2026 local elections. California does not require voter ID at the state level, but Huntington Beach's ordinance would have introduced the requirement locally.
Bill author State Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, argued that voter ID laws suppress voter turnout, noting that voters already provide identification numbers or social security digits when registering. State Assemblymember Bill Essayli, R-Corona, unsuccessfully proposed an amendment to the bill that would have specifically barred undocumented immigrants from voting.
The bill also impacts a broader conversation about noncitizen voting rights in California. Huntington Beach’s neighboring city, Santa Ana, may introduce a November ballot measure allowing noncitizens to vote in all municipal elections. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued Huntington Beach over its voter ID ordinance, arguing that it conflicts with state and federal election laws, including concerns about voter suppression tied to monitoring ballot drop boxes.
As a charter city, Huntington Beach may challenge the new law in court, claiming its charter status grants it more autonomy under the state constitution.
