In a bold move to safeguard electoral integrity, Huntington Beach, California, is set to let voters decide on March 5 whether U.S. citizenship and proper identification should be mandatory for casting ballots in the city. However, a recently introduced state bill threatens to overrule any such local measures that require voter ID, as reported by California Insider.

State Senator Dave Min introduced Senate Bill 1174, aiming to prevent local governments from implementing or enforcing laws that mandate voter identification at polling places.

This bill, if passed, would have statewide implications, affecting all municipalities, including California’s 108 charter cities that currently operate under their own charters rather than state law.

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Sen. Min claims that “healthy democracies rely on robust access to the polls,” dismissing voter ID laws as barriers that only subvert voter turnout. He asserts that California’s pandemic-era practice of mailing ballots to every registered voter was an “overwhelming success” with no evidence of fraud.

According to Min, voter ID laws are discriminatory and disproportionately affect seniors, people of color, young people, and other historically marginalized groups.

🇺🇸CALIFORNIA: HOW DARE YOU BRING YOUR ID TO VOTE!! THAT IS PROHIBITED!

California lawmakers approved Senate Bill 1174, prohibiting voter ID requirements in local elections.

This move overrides Huntington Beach’s voter ID policy, slated for 2026.

State Senator Dave Min argues… pic.twitter.com/9mGvNLWxcE

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“I am proud to introduce SB 1174 to prevent this practice in Huntington Beach and any other city that wants to constrain the voting rights of Californians,” Min stated, taking a clear stand against any efforts to enforce stricter voting regulations.

California’s existing law already requires identification for first-time voters and those who recently registered by mail without providing a driver’s license number. However, Huntington Beach’s proposal goes further, aiming to ensure that every voter shows ID to maintain election integrity.

Supporters of the local voter ID initiative argue that it is crucial for ensuring trust in the electoral process. “Huntington Beach voters deserve the right to know that our elections are secure. It is crucial for our democracy that voters have faith in the election results,” said Mayor Tony Strickland and Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark in a joint statement. They emphasize that trust in election outcomes is jeopardized when voter identities are unclear.

Concerns over potential voter fraud have lingered since the 2020 elections, with reports suggesting that as much as 20 percent of mail-in ballots could have been fraudulent, according to a survey by Rasmussen Reports and The Heartland Institute. Despite these concerns, some argue that Huntington Beach’s measure is unnecessary, as they believe the existing system is already secure.

In response, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has threatened legal action if the measure passes, claiming it violates state and federal law.

Bonta argues that additional barriers to voting are unnecessary and discriminatory, echoing sentiments shared by Secretary of State Shirley Weber. Weber contends that existing laws and procedures, including signature verification, are sufficient to ensure secure elections without imposing further burdens on voters.

As SB 1174 awaits debate in the Senate, the outcome could have significant implications for Huntington Beach and beyond. Should the bill pass, the attorney general’s office may not need to take further action to block Huntington Beach’s voter ID measure, even if approved by voters.