Judge Halts Shasta County Measure B on Election Reforms

Shasta County’s Measure B Blocked

A Shasta County judge has temporarily blocked Measure B, a voter-approved initiative aimed at overhauling the county’s election process. The measure included eliminating most voting by mail and requiring hand-counting of ballots. Judge Benjamin L. Hanna issued a preliminary injunction to halt the implementation of Measure B, approved by 56% of voters in the June primary.

Lawsuit and State Intervention

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber filed a lawsuit against Shasta County. They argued that Measure B violated state election laws. Their lawsuit was initially filed in the California 3rd District Court of Appeal but was referred to a trial court. Judge Hanna emphasized that allowing Measure B risks disenfranchising voters who would otherwise be eligible under state law.

State’s Concerns and Actions

The judge sided with the state due to a high likelihood of success in the lawsuit. Weber stated the court’s decision affirms the importance of removing unnecessary barriers to voting. Measure B’s opposition includes groups like the ACLU and the League of Women Voters. They argue the measure would disenfranchise voters by restricting mail-in voting and requiring voter ID.

Measure B’s Provisions and Reactions

Measure B would limit voting by mail to specific groups and create a separate voter registration system for Shasta County. The measure calls for in-person voting and government-issued photo ID at polling places. The Shasta Election Task Force, which authored the measure, insists the state lacks a legal basis to block it, accusing Sacramento of objecting to local election reforms.

Background and Political Climate

Measure B gained traction amid unfounded claims of election fraud. Shasta County, known for its conservative stance, dismissed Dominion voting machines in favor of hand-counting. This decision followed claims of voting machine fraud, despite the lack of evidence. The increased skepticism of elections in Shasta County aligns with actions by former President Trump, who sought to nationalize elections.

Leadership Changes and Future Outlook

Clint Curtis, the Shasta County registrar known for supporting Measure B, has been ousted. Curtis previously eliminated several ballot drop boxes and made unsubstantiated claims against his predecessors. He is among the defendants in the state’s lawsuit. Joanna Francescut, who was the assistant registrar, is slated to replace Curtis in January.