(The Center Square) – A California judge ruled the City of Huntington Beach can keep its new rule requiring voters to present identification — for the time being.
“The Court finds that this matter is not ripe for adjudication, as [the change to] the City’s Charter is permissive and discretionary in character, and thus currently presents no conflict with state elections law,” ruled California Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas.
Earlier this year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning voter ID requirements in the state. The bill did not have an urgency clause, meaning it goes into effect next year.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed his lawsuit against Huntington Beach after the Huntington Beach voter ID law passed but before the statewide voter ID ban passed. This led Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates to question how the state could sue against a measure lawmakers were in the process of banning with new legislation.
“The Attorney General’s press release that the city’s Voter ID requirements violate state law is inconsistent with, in fact in direct conflict with, (state) Sen. David Min’s, D-Irvine, new bill attempting to make Huntington Beach’s Voter ID illegal,” said Gates at the time.