The California Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by the City of Huntington Beach after the city’s voter ID law was struck down by a lower court. The court’s January 28 decision effectively ends Huntington Beach’s legal challenge, meaning the city cannot require voters to present identification in municipal elections.
Huntington Beach’s voter ID measure received just over 52% of the vote in March 2024. Nine months later, the Legislature passed a law prohibiting local governments from requiring identification to vote.
Supporters of voter ID laws argue the measures are necessary to prevent voter fraud and protect election integrity. Opponents — including Rob Bonta — contend the requirements create unnecessary barriers to voting, particularly for low-income voters, seniors, and people of color.
Huntington Beach had argued that its status as a charter city granted it broad constitutional authority to regulate election procedures for local races, independent of state law.
“Today’s victory makes one thing crystal clear: No city in our state, charter and non-charter alike, is above the law,” Bonta said in a statement.
The Supreme Court’s decision could have implications for Shasta County, where a citizen-charter amendment requiring voter identification is scheduled to appear on the June 2, 2026 ballot.