California Mayor Defies Newsom’s Ban on Voter ID Laws ‘That Law Does Not Apply to Us’
The situation in Huntington Beach, California, has become contentious following the passage of a local voter ID law. The law, known as the Voter ID and Election Rules Amendment, was approved by a majority of voters on March 5, 2023, with the intent of increasing election security by requiring identification for voters. This initiative was supported by the then-Mayor Tony Strickland despite opposition from local and state Democrats.
However, the approval of the measure elicited a swift response from state authorities, including California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming the law to be “unlawful.” In addition, state Senator Dave Min introduced legislation to prevent local governments from enforcing their own voter requirements, a bill recently signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Current mayor Gracey Van Der Mark has expressed defiance against this state intervention, questioning its legality and asserting that it infringes upon the rights of the city’s residents. As a result, Huntington Beach is likely facing a legal battle with the state over the matter, with implications for upcoming elections. This scenario highlights ongoing national debates surrounding election integrity and local governance.
A California mayor is defiant after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law in direct response to the city’s attempt to secure elections.
The saga began on March 5, when Huntington Beach voters weighed in and passed ballot measure 1, the Voter ID and Election Rules Amendment.
According to Ballotpedia, the charter amendment authorized the city to require voter identification for elections and allowed infrastructure to support the initiative.
In 2023, then-Mayor Tony Strickland supported the measure in the face of pressure from local and state Democrats seeking to torpedo it.
“Our democracy does not work if people do not have faith in the election results,” Strickland told Voice of OC. “Anytime you can put safeguards in I think it’s important to do so people have faith in our election outcomes.”
Huntington Beach voters passed the measure with 53.4 percent approving the measure and 46.6 percent rejecting it. The increased election security was set to begin in 2026.
After the initiative passed, state legislators were quick to react to Huntington Beach voter’s approval of the measure and moved to crush it entirely.
In April, California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber sued the city over what it called an “unlawful” voter ID amendment.
The two officials said, without evidence, that the measure would hurt the poor, elderly and “people of color.”
After the vote, California state Senator Dave Min introduced legislation that would bar local governments from implementing their own voter requirements.
After introducing his bill, Min dismissed citizens’ attempts to secure their local elections, saying “[we] can’t have local jurisdictions implementing their own voting requirements.”
Governor Newsom signed the bill into law Sunday, according to Politico. The new law will take effect on January 1, 2025.
Unfortunately for Newsom and Co., current Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark isn’t about to quietly let Sacramento dictate the future of her city.
She questions whether the state even has jurisdiction over charter cities like Huntington Beach, and the constitutionality of Min’s legislation.
“The state cannot pass any laws that strip us of our constitutional rights,” Van Der Mark told LAist, “so that law does not apply to us or affect our new election laws.”
Judging by the law Newsom just signed and Van Der Mark’s refusal to back down, the city and state are likely headed for a heated court battle.
Although neither of these initiatives will come into effect before the impending 2024 elections, the vote — now just weeks away — will likely be marked by similar conflicts over election integrity across the country.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...