The California legislature has approved a bill that prohibits local governments from implementing voter identification laws for local elections.
While California itself does not mandate identification for voting, the City of Huntington Beach had recently sanctioned a voter ID mandate for municipal elections commencing in 2026.
The passing of this bill would supersede Huntington Beach’s policy.
“An overwhelming body of evidence proves that voter ID laws only subvert voter turnout and create barriers to law abiding voters,” wrote bill author State Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine. “To register to vote in California, voters are already required to provide their driver’s license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number.”
State Assemblymember Bill Essayli, R-Corona, introduced an unsuccessful amendment to the bill, SB 1174, which aimed to explicitly prohibit undocumented immigrants from voting.
Undocumented immigrants in California can obtain identification numbers, and noncitizens are permitted to vote in local school board elections in San Francisco.
The neighboring City of Santa Ana is also considering allowing noncitizens to vote in all municipal elections through a November ballot measure.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach for its ordinance, arguing that it violates state and federal law as most elections involve voting for municipal, state, and federal office simultaneously.
Bonta also contended that the ordinance’s requirement for video monitoring of ballot drop boxes could discourage voting.
Huntington Beach contends that the introduction of SB 1174 by legislators suggests that its voters have the authority to approve such an ordinance.
As a charter city with greater rights under the state constitution, the city is likely to pursue legal options to defend its ordinance against the law if it is signed by the governor.
The introduction of SB 1174, aimed at explicitly prohibiting undocumented immigrants from voting, has sparked significant controversy and legal challenges.
The failed amendment introduced by State Assemblymember Bill Essayli is indicative of the strong opinions and opposing viewpoints on this matter.
The lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta against Huntington Beach further underscores the legal battles that have arisen as a result of local efforts to expand voting rights for noncitizens.
The city’s assertion of its charter city status and its intention to defend its ordinance through legal means sets the stage for potential prolonged legal disputes.
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