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Council adopts resolution supporting voter identification; 3‑2 vote draws debate over city authority and campaign optics
Summary
The council adopted a resolution supporting the use of voter identification by a 3‑2 vote after members debated whether the city has legal authority over election procedures and criticized a councilmember for using the dais while recording for campaign purposes.
The Westminster City Council on Sept. 24 adopted a resolution "supporting the use of voter identification" by a 3‑2 roll‑call vote after heated discussion about whether the issue belongs on a city agenda.
Councilmember Fan West, who brought the item forward, framed the resolution as a measure to "ensure that every vote is legal and counted for," saying that photo identification requirements protect public confidence in elections much as ID is required for banking or air travel.
Other council members, including Vice Mayor Manzo and District 3 Councilmember (identified in the record by seat), objected on legal and fiscal grounds. Manzo said Westminster is a general‑law city and "has no authority to make or enforce election law," warned that pursuing local action could prompt legal costs, and criticized the appearance of campaigning from the dais by a councilmember who recorded remarks during the meeting.
After roll call, the motion carried with multiple members voting no. The staff report noted that election procedure authority rests with the state and the county registrar; the resolution is a statement of values rather than a change in election administration.
The final roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes showed the motion carried with District 3 Councilmember Wynne and Vice Mayor Manzo voting no; the resolution was adopted and will be placed in the council record.
