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A California judge has dealt a blow to the state’s attempt to prevent Huntington Beach from implementing a voter identification requirement for local elections, which residents approved through a referendum last year.

Known as “Surf City USA,” Huntington Beach has consistently challenged California’s progressive policies, including opposing COVID-19 restrictions, illegal immigrant protections, mandatory affordable housing measures, and the state’s resistance to voter ID laws.

The conflict emerged after Governor Gavin Newsom enacted legislation prohibiting voter ID requirements, directly responding to Huntington Beach’s Measure A passage. The city maintains that state law grants them autonomy over their municipal elections.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas supported the city’s position, stating: “There is no showing that a voter identification requirement compromises the integrity of a municipal election.”

Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed disappointment with the ruling: “Yet again, we believe the Orange County Superior Court got it wrong. Now that we have a final order from the Orange County Superior Court, we look forward to moving on and appealing the decision. We remain confident that Measure A will ultimately be struck down.”

Earlier this year, a Fourth District Court of Appeal panel expressed skepticism about Huntington Beach’s position that it possessed constitutional authority to manage its elections independently from state oversight. The panel had requested the Superior Court judge to review his previous decision.

The legal battle will continue through California’s appeals process, with expectations that the state’s liberal-leaning Supreme Court may rule against Huntington Beach, potentially leading to a U.S. Supreme Court challenge.

Meanwhile, state Republicans have initiated efforts to place a voter ID requirement on California’s 2026 ballot, while former President Donald Trump has suggested linking future state aid to voter identification implementation.