Huntington Beach Ballot Measure A, B, C, U: What Are They & What Do They Mean For The Community?

Huntington Beach is no stranger when it comes to politics. Their policies and ballot measures have taken California by storm, even forcing Governor Gavin Newsome to take action against some of the policies laid out by recent ballot measures and decisions made by the Surf City Council. The conservative, MAGA (Make America Great Again) stronghold has defied California’s blue-swinging Orange County, and the following ballot measures reflect this view. Although the following ballot measures have already been voted on, it is in the interest of our community to know what they mean for Huntington Beach.[1]

Measure A

Passing with a 53.4% majority (32,892),[2] this ballot requires that effective in 2026, municipal elections must require voter ID for votes to be cast as well as requiring the city to build at least 20 in-person polls that are friendly towards the disabled with the constant monitorization of drop-off boxes.[3] With the slim win, it is obvious that controversies were brewing about this measure. For advocates, this ballot secures elections, by ensuring that others such as illegal immigrants (who have been seen voting in San Fransisco) do not sway and harm the integrity of elections. On the other hand, opposition to this bill has declared that the measure “could be UNLAWFUL” and a waste of taxpayer money.[3] Moreover, the opposition claims that the vagueness of “voter identification” stated in the measure may be a “DANGEROUS precedent and could COMPROMISE our citizens’ constitutional right to vote.”[3]

With the shakiness of the ballot to begin, Senator Dave Minh authorized SB 1174, which bans local governments from upholding voter identification in municipal elections. This directly conflicts with Measure A, in which Minh has reprimanded the HB Council as they have not “produce[d] any such evidence” of mass voter fraud.[4] If this gets passed into law, the HB Charter and the state law might be found in court.

Measure B

Passing with a 57.20% majority (35,231),[2] measure B prohibits the Huntington Beach City Council from flying flags without a unanimous vote from the Council, making special exceptions for a select few.[5] Some flags not included in this exception are Pride flags, Palestine flags, or BLM flags, which many argue are the real reason for enacting this measure. Many also bring up that “NO provision in our City Charter requires a unanimous vote” and that the “ongoing efforts for gender and racial equality” are undermined by this measure.[5] Those in favor of the measure argue that the American Flag is the only flag the Council needs as it symbolizes that “all citizens are equally represented” and that “there is no other flag that represents unity and equality” greater than that of the red, white, and blue.[6]

Measure C

Failing to pass with a 53.18% majority (32,157),[2] it attempted to change some logistical features within the council life as well as change language in the city’s charter to replace all instances of “he” or “him” with “person.” Council member Strickland emphasizes that a two-year budget would give residents a more transparent look at how to distribute government funds.[6] However, the democratic opposition disagrees with the potential of the mayor being able to cancel council meetings as this would result in “less access, transparency, and accountability.”[7] The syntax, phrases, and pronoun changes were seemingly ignored by both sides as democrats argued that rewording the Charter to modern standards does not improve the life of the city and that they must solve the “real problems: homelessness, e-bikes, unfunded liabilities, and infrastructure.”[7]

Measure U

While the previously mentioned measures were already voted on in the March 5th municipal election, Measure U will be voted on in the upcoming November vote. Measure U would require a vote on an infrastructural, planning, or zoning done by the City where the project presents “significant and unavoidable negative impacts to the environment.”[8] Republicans brought forward this measure to protect the environmental wonders of Huntington Beach, including our wetlands, beaches, and wildlife, and gives the power to the people to stop developers from rapidly over-expanding their projects. The Democrats argue, however, that the measure is adding costly and unnecessary barriers to delay projects that are necessary for the city, and that the community is overestimating the environmental impacts of projects and construction.[8]

What to Expect from the November Election

   As we approach the 5th of November, Huntington Beach has several candidates eager for election or reelection, many of which are advertised all over the city. Democratic City Council Members Rhonda Bolton, Dan Kalmick, and Natalie Moser are seeking reelection on the City Council, while the conservative members Pat Burns, Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Casey McKeon, and Tony Strickland aren’t on the ballot until 2026. It is likely we will see a conservative-leaning majority once again, but the 2026 election will surely shake things with the four conservative candidates approaching their term limits.[9]

What Can You Do?

Get involved! Whether it’s via interest groups, messaging boards, or any sort of political activism, we want to see your voices heard. For example, we have seen groups such as ProtectHB, an interest group opposed to the ballot measures, collecting signatures for petitions regarding the book banning and privatization of the Huntington Beach Central Library.[10] Homeless United Huntington Beach, another activist group, seeks to stop Measure U from passing on the ballot to keep the housing market economically viable for lower-income residents.[11] No matter your political affiliation, we at SAC wish for you to be knowledgeable about your community's local laws and how they affect you. With the November election around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity for new, young voices to be heard so that if you are registered or pre-registered to vote, you will know the difference you are making.

Article written by Harrison Holcomb.

Sources 

1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/07/huntington-beach-maga-conservative-election-results/

2. https://laist.com/news/politics/2024-election-california-primary-huntington-beach-vote-measures-a-b-and-c

3. https://ocvote.gov/sites/default/files/elections/2024%20Primary/HBEA%201%20-%20LAYOUT.pdf

4. https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2024-08-30/bill-which-could-shut-down-huntington-beachs-voter-id-requirements-passes-california-assembly

5. https://ocvote.gov/sites/default/files/elections/2024%20Primary/HBEA%202%20-%20LAYOUT.pdf

6. https://voiceofoc.org/2024/02/huntington-beach-voters-to-decide-on-voter-id-and-flags/

7. https://ocvote.gov/sites/default/files/elections/2024%20Primary/HBEA%203%20-%20LAYOUT.pdf

8. https://ocvote.gov/sites/default/files/elections/gen2024/measures/layouts/HBEA%20-%20LAYOUT%20-%20TP%2C%20FT%2C%20IA%2C%20AF%2C%20RAF%2C%20AA%2C%20RAA.pdf

9. https://www.ocregister.com/2024/08/05/huntington-beachs-november-council-election-wont-change-whos-in-control-but-it-leaves-a-path-for-flipping-power/

10. https://protecthb.org/

11. https://www.facebook.com/HomelessUnitedHB

12. https://ballotpedia.org/Orange_County,_California_ballot_measures