Judge Strikes Down Shasta County Measure Restricting Mail-in Voting
California court rules local initiative to eliminate mail-in ballots violates state election laws.
1Permanent Injunction Issued
A Northern California judge has permanently barred Shasta County from implementing Measure B, a voter-approved initiative. Judge Benjamin Hanna ruled that the measure, which aimed to eliminate most mail-in voting and mandate hand-counted ballots, is entirely contrary to existing state law. The ruling effectively halts the county's attempt to reshape its local election administration.
2Measure B Provisions
Passed by 56% of voters in the June primary, Measure B sought to overhaul local voting procedures. Key requirements included mandatory hand-counting of ballots and the presentation of government-issued photo identification on election day. These provisions were designed to significantly restrict the use of mail-in ballots within the conservative-leaning Northern California county.
3State Legal Challenge
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber filed a lawsuit against Shasta County shortly after the primary election. They argued that the local measure violated statewide election statutes. Judge Hanna previously issued a temporary block in August before finalizing the permanent ruling against the county's proposed electoral changes this Monday.
4Statewide Authority Precedence
In his final ruling, Judge Hanna emphasized that the administration of the electoral process remains a matter of statewide concern. He stated that Shasta County's status as a charter county does not grant it the legal authority to enact legislation that contradicts established state law, regardless of local community sentiment or disagreement with current regulations.
5Supporters Consider Appeals
Attorney Alexander Haberbush, representing the proponents of Measure B, indicated that the group is currently reviewing all available legal options, including a potential appeal. Haberbush criticized the ruling, suggesting that it strips charter counties of their ability to influence how their own local elections are conducted, claiming the decision exceeds necessary state law requirements.
6Context of Election Integrity
The conflict originated in 2023 when the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, influenced by unsubstantiated election fraud claims, discontinued the use of Dominion voting machines. The board initially opted for manual ballot counting for over 110,000 registered voters, a move that quickly triggered new state legislation specifically banning such practices in California counties.
7Official Government Stance
Secretary of State Shirley Weber condemned Measure B as a significant waste of taxpayer funds and an effort to disenfranchise voters. She affirmed that the state will continue to challenge any local attempts to implement reckless or illegal election laws, characterizing the court's decision as a predictable outcome for such poorly drafted legislative initiatives.
8Broader Political Implications
This legal battle occurs amidst national discourse regarding election integrity and calls to restrict mail-in voting. As California continues to enforce its standardized election procedures, the ruling serves as a definitive check on local attempts to deviate from state-mandated voting protocols, reinforcing the supremacy of state election law over individual county initiatives.