California Bans Local Voter ID Requirements

California lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 1174, which prohibits local governments from implementing voter ID requirements in elections, a move aimed at maintaining uniform election standards across the state. The bill was prompted by Huntington Beach's decision to introduce voter ID laws starting in 2026, which state officials argued conflicted with existing state laws. Authored by State Sen. Dave Min, the legislation emphasizes that voter identification should be managed at the state level, with Min asserting that existing registration processes already provide necessary identification measures. The bill passed the Assembly with a 57-16 vote and is awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's approval. Republican opposition included a failed amendment to prohibit undocumented immigrants from voting, highlighting the contentious debate over voter ID laws in California. Meanwhile, some cities, like Santa Ana, are considering measures to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections.