logo
California Files Appeal After Court Allows Huntington Beach to Require Voter ID in Local Elections

California Files Appeal After Court Allows Huntington Beach to Require Voter ID in Local Elections

Epoch Times30-05-2025

The State of California filed an appeal in its lawsuit against the city of Huntington Beach on May 28, asking a state appellate court to reverse a lower court's decision that allowed the city to require photo ID in its municipal elections.
In a lawsuit filed last year challenging Measure A, the city's initiative, Attorney General Ron Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber argued that the policy is invalid because state law takes precedence over local law in matters of statewide concern, including the right to vote.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus
San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus

CBS News

time2 days ago

  • CBS News

San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus

San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a special meeting Thursday afternoon in which they are expected to decide on initiating the process to remove embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus from office. Supervisors gained the power to remove the sheriff after 84% of voters approved Measure A in a special election in March. The measure temporarily amended the County Charter to remove a sheriff from office for cause. Corpus has been facing months of scrutiny following a scathing independent report released last November by retired judge LaDoris Cordell into allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office. Cordell's report made multiple accusations against the sheriff, including intimidation, retaliation, the use of racial and homophobic slurs and conflicts of interest. Corpus is also accused of having a personal relationship with Victor Aenelle, her chief of staff. The report concluded that "Sheriff Corpus step down and that Victor Aenlle's employment by the sheriff's office be terminated immediately. Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization." The sheriff has repeatedly denied the allegations and has refused multiple calls to resign from local leaders and Deputy Sheriff's Association, which led to supervisors calling for the special election. In April, Corpus released her own report rebuttting Cordell's investigation. Corpus has also filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county, alleging discrimination and harassment. Under Measure A, removal of Corpus requires a four-fifths majority vote by the board of supervisors and Corpus will have an opportunity to defend her case. The board's authority to remove the sheriff expires at the end of 2028. Corpus, the county's first Latina sheriff, was elected in 2022. Thursday's board meeting is scheduled take place at the Board Chambers in Redwood City at 1 p.m.

Fresno County DA, sheriff get an extra two years in battle over election schedule
Fresno County DA, sheriff get an extra two years in battle over election schedule

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

Fresno County DA, sheriff get an extra two years in battle over election schedule

Two of Fresno County's top law enforcement officials just got extensions on their services, despite their own reservations and a voter-backed initiative that would have seen them up for re-election in 2026. On Monday, a state court judge ruled to invalidate Fresno County's Measure A, the 2024 ballot initiative that aligned District Attorney and Sheriff elections with the gubernatorial election cycle. The ruling pushes Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Sheriff John Zanoni into six-year terms, with their re-elections now set for 2028. Measure A passed in 2024's March primary election with 55% of the vote and immediately put Fresno County at odds with AB 179, a 2022 state law that mandated such elections be synced to the presidential cycle. In July, California's Attorney General and Secretary of State challenged the measure in court, claiming it was preempted by the state law. In a 19-page ruling released Monday, Superior Court Judge Tyler Tharpe agreed. While the county has 'authority to set the terms of its elected officials,' he wrote, 'it is not authorized under the California Constitution to set the dates on which the elections of local officials will be held.' Judge Tharpe acknowledged the change as 'a fairly minor intrusion on the County's power to set the terms of its officials.' It is a one-time extension. 'Any district attorney and sheriff elected from 2028 onward will serve four-year terms as specified by the county's charter.' In a joint statement, Smittcamp and Zanoni said they are prepared to serve the six-year terms and 'remain committed to fulfilling our responsibilities with integrity and dedication for the full duration,' even as the county Board of Supervisors meets to discuss potential next steps, which it will do in closed session June 10. But they also expressed concerns about the legislative process that led to the enactment of AB 759 in the first place. 'After sitting in the Senate Appropriations Committee's suspense file for over a year, the bill advanced rapidly in the final weeks of the legislative session,' they wrote. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in September 2022 'with little to no opportunity for public review,' Smittcamp and Zanoni said in their statement. 'As a result, local governments and voters were excluded from a policy decision that directly affects the terms of their elected officials.' For his part, Attorney General Rob Bonta claimed Monday's ruling as a win for voters. 'There is nothing more fundamental to American democracy than the right to vote and make your voice heard,' Bonta said in a statement. 'With Measure A, Fresno County threatened to undermine that fundamental right, intentionally seeking to move elections for sheriff and district attorney to off years, when voters are far less likely to show up and cast a ballot,' he wrote. 'Our democracy works best when everyone can participate.'

California Files Appeal After Court Allows Huntington Beach to Require Voter ID in Local Elections
California Files Appeal After Court Allows Huntington Beach to Require Voter ID in Local Elections

Epoch Times

time30-05-2025

  • Epoch Times

California Files Appeal After Court Allows Huntington Beach to Require Voter ID in Local Elections

The State of California filed an appeal in its lawsuit against the city of Huntington Beach on May 28, asking a state appellate court to reverse a lower court's decision that allowed the city to require photo ID in its municipal elections. In a lawsuit filed last year challenging Measure A, the city's initiative, Attorney General Ron Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber argued that the policy is invalid because state law takes precedence over local law in matters of statewide concern, including the right to vote.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store