California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law prohibiting local governments from enacting or enforcing a requirement that a person must show identification when voting.Senate Bill 1174, authored by Dave Min (D-Irvine), targets a voter ID requirement that was adopted by Huntington Beach in Orange County. Voters there approved a measure that would let the city require voters to show their ID when casting ballots starting in 2026. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has already filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that it could make it harder for poor, non-white, young, elderly and disabled voters to cast ballots, The Associated Press reported. SB 1174 notes that California requires people to provide a driver’s license number, California identification number or the last four digits of their social security number to register to vote. The state also uses signature verification checks and mandatory partial recounts to ensure election integrity. “Voter identification laws place the onus on the voter to prove their identity and right to vote, even after voters have taken the necessary steps to prove their identity and right to vote through the voter registration process,” the bill says. In an argument in opposition to the bill submitted for an Assembly floor analysis, the Greater Bakersfield Republican Assembly said the proposed law would “diminish confidence and impose the will of the state on local communities’ and municipalities’ election processes.” See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter