Slow Vote Count Sparks Controversy
California’s delayed vote count after its June primary caught national attention. Allegations of cheating from former President Trump heightened the scrutiny. The focus was on governor and Los Angeles mayor races, but the real tension emerged in Shasta County.
Shasta County’s Controversial Measure
Shasta County voters approved a controversial measure. Measure B was introduced to change voting rules. It eliminates most mail-in voting and requires a government-issued photo ID for voting.
Both supporters and opponents anticipated legal challenges. They were proven correct as California officials initiated a lawsuit.
California’s Legal Challenge
Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber filed a lawsuit against Shasta County. They argue Measure B conflicts with state election laws. Bonta stated, “Measure B is legally indefensible. It disrupts the orderly election process.”
Measure B mandates in-person voting on a single day. It separates the county’s voter registration from the state’s system. It also restricts mail-in voting to specific groups like military personnel and citizens overseas.
Shasta County has not commented due to ongoing litigation.
Background of Election Concerns
In 2023, Shasta County faced election-related controversies. The Board of Supervisors discontinued Dominion voting machines due to fraud claims. They chose hand-counting ballots, affecting over 110,000 voters. New state laws later banned this method.
Controversy continued with the appointment of Clint Curtis as registrar. His unfounded allegations of rigged machines trace back to the 2000s. During his tenure, Curtis reduced ballot drop boxes from 13 to 4. He challenged the integrity of past registrars and the election process.
Curtis supported Measure B and became a defendant in the lawsuit. He was recently voted out and will be replaced by Joanna Francescut.
Community Divisions
Richard Gallardo, leader of ‘Save Shasta Elections,’ says a lawsuit was expected. His group crafted Measure B. Gallardo previously attempted to arrest county supervisors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gallardo argues that the county should defend Measure B, reflecting voter intentions. He states, “The county must fully and fervently defend it.”
State’s Legal Successes
The state has previously succeeded in election law lawsuits. California officials earlier sued Huntington Beach over a voter ID amendment. The appellate court struck down the law. The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal.
Bonta and Weber argue Measure B is preempted by state law. Elections require uniform rules statewide. They seek a swift decision with ballots and voter guides needing distribution soon.
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