Unofficial results show that Shasta County voters are approving a controversial voting measure that would transform how local elections are held.
Measure B is passing with over 55% of the vote. It would establish voter ID requirements and drastically restrict voting by mail.
While backers of the measure are celebrating what looks to be a resounding “yes” vote from the people, opponents say it very likely contradicts state law.
Here’s what to know about the measure and where it may go from here.
What would Measure B do?
The citizen-led initiative includes multiple changes to how local elections would be conducted in Shasta County.
Those changes include requiring voters to show their ID before casting a ballot. It also says elections must be held in person on a single day, and vote-by-mail is to be restricted to “the infirm, military, and U.S. citizens living overseas.”
Ballot counting would be done by hand and completed on election night, though it’s unclear how that would work.
What do the measure’s supporters say?
Those who backed the measure say it amounts to “reclaiming control over the ballot box.”
They say it will bring integrity back to local elections, countering state reforms that have “imposed mail-in chaos and machine-count secrecy.”
Unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud have swirled in the county since President Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election. And this isn’t the first time Shasta County has taken action in the name of securing elections.
What about its opponents?
Opponents say the measure would be costly to implement and is based on false claims about election fraud.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California says the restrictions would have dire consequences for voters in Shasta County, especially those who live in rural areas, are seniors or have disabilities.
Is Measure B illegal?
The ACLU of Northern California thinks so.
In a statement, the organization said the measure “plainly violates state law and exposes county taxpayers to significant litigation costs — all in pursuit of a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.”
The ACLU mentioned a similar measure that was passed in 2024 in Huntington Beach to establish voter ID laws. It resulted in the state attorney general filing a lawsuit against the city and the Legislature passing a bill stating that local governments can’t set their own voter ID requirements.
What happens next?
A representative for California’s attorney general told Shasta Scout the office “stands ready to take appropriate action to protect voters’ rights and enforce state election laws.”
No official action has been taken yet.
The California Secretary of State’s Office says election results for California’s June 2 primary will be certified on July 10.
