Huntington Beach cannot require residents to present identification to vote in local elections, a California appeals court decided.

The 4th District Court of Appeals in Santa Ana concluded that Huntington Beach’s proposed local voter ID requirement violates state election law — a decision that overturned an earlier trial court ruling in favor of the city’s stance that being a charter city allows local leaders greater control over municipal elections.

RELATED: California Republican lawmakers launch campaign to require voter ID

In its opinion issued Monday, Nov. 3, the three-judge appeals panel said while it is not in its purview to decide whether voter ID policies prevent voter fraud — a topic that has spurred “vigorous nationwide debate” — “this case presents us a much narrower, sim

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