California City Approves Voter ID Requirement Despite State’s Objections

Two conservative ballot measures in California’s Huntington Beach have been approved by voters. One measure allows the city to mandate voter identification for elections, passed by an 8-point margin. The second measure effectively prohibits flying the LGBTQ pride flag at City Hall.

These measures were introduced by four conservatives who won seats on the city council in the November 2022 elections. They have been pushing an agenda aligned with the Republican Party politics of former President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again movement.

Despite warnings from California’s Democrat Attorney General Rob Bonta that requiring voter ID violates state law, the voter identification measure was still approved by 8 points.

The measure regarding the LGBTQ pride flags passed by 16 points. It was put forward after the council decided to remove the pride flag and permits only official government flags, as well as flags of the armed forces, prisoners of war, and the Olympic Games, unless there is a unanimous council vote to overrule.

While the official results are pending due to more mail-in ballots from Tuesday’s election yet to be counted, the opposition group Protect Huntington Beach has acknowledged defeat based on the latest results posted Wednesday evening.

As of Friday, the vote stands at 53% in favor and 47% against.

A third measure supported by the four council members, which pertained to the appointment of City Council vacancies and the budget process, was rejected by 5 points.

Since the four conservatives gained control, Huntington Beach has seen a polarization mirroring that of America during the Trump era, with the council majority focusing on culture war issues not typically addressed in local politics. Recently, they endorsed the border security policy of Texas.

“I believe the votes confirm that we are moving in the right direction,” said Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, who along with conservatives Pat Burns, Casey McKeon, and Rod Strickland, emerged victorious in the elections.

The council majority has taken steps such as removing books with sexual content from the teen section of the library, controlling who can deliver the opening prayer at city council meetings, and removing liberals from assignments on boards and commissions.