California Supreme Court Rejects Huntington Beach Voter ID Law

Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber celebrate victory against city's illegal voting requirements

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:23pm

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The California Supreme Court has rejected the City of Huntington Beach's petition to review a lower court ruling that struck down the city's voter identification (voter ID) law, Measure A, as unlawful and preempted by state law. Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber filed a lawsuit in 2024 challenging the city's attempt to impose voter ID requirements at municipal elections, arguing there was no evidence of fraudulent voting in Huntington Beach. The state's highest court's decision effectively concludes the case in favor of Bonta and Weber.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over voting rights and election integrity, with some local governments seeking to impose stricter voter ID laws despite a lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud. The California Supreme Court's decision affirms that state law preempts local attempts to restrict voting access, protecting the constitutional right of eligible Californians to cast their ballots.

The details

Measure A, approved by Huntington Beach voters in 2022, amended the city's charter to allow the imposition of voter ID requirements starting in 2026 municipal elections. However, Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber filed a lawsuit in 2024 arguing the measure was unlawful and preempted by state law. In 2025, an appellate court ruled in favor of Bonta and Weber, striking down Measure A. Huntington Beach then petitioned the California Supreme Court to review the case, but the state's highest court has now rejected that petition, effectively ending the legal battle.

  • On April 15, 2024, Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber filed a lawsuit challenging Huntington Beach's Measure A.
  • In 2025, the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that Measure A was unlawful and preempted by state law.
  • On January 28, 2026, the California Supreme Court rejected Huntington Beach's petition to review the appellate court's decision.

The players

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California, who filed the lawsuit against Huntington Beach's voter ID law.

Shirley N. Weber

The California Secretary of State, who joined Attorney General Bonta in the lawsuit against Huntington Beach's voter ID law.

Huntington Beach

The city in California that passed Measure A, a voter ID law that was struck down by the courts.

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What they’re saying

“Today's victory makes one thing crystal clear: No city in our state, charter and non-charter alike, is above the law. All along, Secretary of State Weber and I have maintained that Huntington Beach's voter ID policy is illegal, and now, the state's highest court has weighed in and agreed with us. Measure A won't be taking effect — ever.”

— Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (yubanet.com)

“Today the California Supreme Court declined to review the Fourth District Court of Appeal's decision prohibiting the City of Huntington Beach from implementing illegal voter identification requirements. As California Secretary of State, I have a responsibility to ensure that every eligible Californian can exercise their constitutional right to vote, and I take that duty seriously.”

— Shirley N. Weber, California Secretary of State (yubanet.com)

What’s next

The California Supreme Court's decision effectively concludes the legal battle over Huntington Beach's voter ID law, with the city's Measure A permanently blocked from taking effect.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of protecting voting rights and access to the ballot box, even at the local level. The California Supreme Court's rejection of Huntington Beach's voter ID law reaffirms that state law supersedes attempts by cities to impose unlawful voting restrictions without evidence of widespread fraud.