Huntington Beach Mayor Denounces Newsom's Voter ID Lawsuit as Government Overreach

Amidst a legal battle between Huntington Beach and the state of California over its recently passed voter ID law, Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark decries the lawsuit as government overreach.

Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark has vehemently condemned a lawsuit filed by California's Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, which challenges the city's Measure A voter ID law. Van Der Mark, a Republican, asserts that the lawsuit constitutes government overreach and an attempt to undermine the will of Huntington Beach voters.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Mayor Van Der Mark expressed her frustration and disbelief over the lawsuit. "This is definitely government overreach," she declared. "The voters of Huntington Beach have spoken, and they want additional safeguards to protect the integrity of our elections. It is our duty as elected officials to respect and implement the will of the people, not obstruct it."

Measure A, passed by more than 50% of Huntington Beach voters in March 2024, amends the city's charter to allow voter ID requirements by 2026. It also includes a provision for additional in-person voting locations. The lawsuit argues that these measures conflict with state law and are therefore invalid.

However, Mayor Van Der Mark vehemently disagrees with this interpretation. "The state has robust voter ID requirements in place," she said. "But the people of Huntington Beach want even stronger measures to ensure that our elections are fair and secure. They believe that requiring voters to show ID at the polls is a reasonable and necessary safeguard."

She continued, "It is insulting and demeaning for state officials to suggest that people of color, low-income communities, and other marginalized groups are incapable of obtaining an ID. We all have a responsibility to participate in our democracy, and that includes having a valid form of identification."

Mayor Van Der Mark pointed out that Huntington Beach is a politically conservative enclave in Southern California, known for its strong support of law enforcement and individual liberties. She believes that the lawsuit against the city is a politically motivated attempt to silence conservative voices.

"Sacramento is trying to make an example out of Huntington Beach," she claimed. "They are suing us every opportunity they can and trying to write bills to counter everything we do. They want to sway us into submission, but we will not allow that to happen."

The lawsuit is not the first time that California authorities have clashed with conservative cities over local laws. Last year, Attorney General Bonta threatened several school districts over their parental notification policies.

Mayor Van Der Mark remains resolute in her defense of Measure A. "We are going to push forward and do what the people want us to do," she vowed. "We will not back down from Sacramento's bullying tactics. The voters of Huntington Beach have spoken, and their voices will be heard."