A judge in Northern California has blocked a voter-approved measure that aimed to significantly alter the election process in Shasta County. This decision halts Measure B, which proposed eliminating most voting by mail and requiring ballots to be hand-counted.
Shasta County Superior Court Judge Benjamin L. Hanna issued a preliminary injunction against Measure B. This move ensures that the changes will not affect the upcoming November general election. All registered voters in the county will receive mail-in ballots, as required by state law.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber sued Shasta County, arguing that Measure B violated several state election laws. They emphasized the necessity of blocking it before the November elections. The case went to the trial court after the California 3rd District Court of Appeal declined to review it initially.
Judge Hanna’s ruling cited concerns that Measure B could disenfranchise many eligible voters. Implementing the measure, which would necessitate creating new voter rolls and re-registering existing voters, was deemed impractical three months before an election.
Judge Hanna expressed confidence in the state’s likelihood of success in the lawsuit. Weber stated that imposing barriers weakens democracy rather than strengthening it.
The Shasta Election Task Force, responsible for crafting the initiative, maintained that Measure B reflected the voters’ will. They challenged the state’s legal grounds for blocking the measure.
The controversy in Shasta County accompanies former President Trump’s calls for nationalizing state-run elections and limiting mail-in voting. Measure B gained momentum amid unfounded claims of election fraud.
The citizens’ initiative aimed to restrict mail-in voting to specific groups, mandate in-person voting on a single day, and establish a separate county voter registration system. It included a requirement for government-issued photo identification to vote. The measure faced opposition from numerous civil and voting rights organizations who feared it would disenfranchise voters.
Richard Gallardo, a prominent supporter of Measure B, anticipated legal challenges and urged vigorous defense of the initiative, attributing it to voters’ intentions.
Shasta County has become a focal point for election skepticism. The Board of Supervisors, influenced by baseless election fraud claims, opted to hand-count ballots last year, prompting a new state law to prevent this practice. Clint Curtis, Shasta County’s registrar of voters, supported Measure B. His actions and affiliations have drawn attention and controversy.