FILE: In Huntington Beach, results came trickling this week on two highly anticipated ballot measures that would repeal the review board and address the privatization of public libraries.

In the picturesque Southern California surf town of Huntington Beach, the MAGA-controlled City Council has been on a crusade to label books about adolescence, pregnancy and puberty as “porn.” Results from an election this week indicate most voters in the Orange County community disagree.

The Huntington Beach City Council, whose last three Democrats were ousted in December, had successfully imposed a community review board in late 2023 to determine which books were too inappropriate at its public libraries, sparking public concerns over censorship.  

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Results came trickling in this week on two highly anticipated ballot measures that would repeal the review board and address the privatization of public libraries. The city’s conservative majority, infamously dubbed “MAGA-nificent 7,” pushed for “no” votes on both measures.

Measure A — which received 30,407 “yes” votes, or 58% of the votes tallied as of 5 p.m. Wednesday — asked voters if they wanted to repeal the 21-person community review board that decides which children’s books are appropriate and which are not. If Measure A passes, the board will be dissolved and responsibility for city library shelves will be back in the hands of librarians.

Measure B — which received 31,409 “yes” votes, or just over 60% of the votes tallied as........

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