REDDING, California — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber filed a lawsuit against Shasta County on Friday seeking to block a voter-approved ballot measure that would severely restrict mail-in voting and make other changes to local election procedures.
The lawsuit, filed in the state's Third District Court of Appeal, targets Measure B, which Shasta County voters approved in the June 2 primary election with about 55% of the vote. The measure would limit elections primarily to in-person voting on a single Election Day, restrict absentee ballots largely to voters with disabilities, military members and overseas citizens, require photo identification for voter registration and in-person voting, mandate hand-counting of ballots at the precinct level, and establish a separate county voter registration system disconnected from the state's uniform system.
State officials argue that the measure violates California election laws and cannot be implemented. "Measure B is legally indefensible. It directly conflicts with state law and threatens to upend the orderly administration of elections," Bonta said in a statement. "No city or county gets to unilaterally rewrite our election rules."
The suit comes ahead of the November general election. Officials said the changes must be addressed before then to avoid disruption.
Shasta County, in far Northern California, has been a focal point for debates over election administration. Measure B was promoted by local activists seeking greater transparency and security in voting processes. Supporters have cited concerns over mail-in ballot integrity.
County officials have not issued a detailed public response to the lawsuit. Shasta County Clerk Clint Curtis, a backer of the measure who lost his reelection bid in the primary, told local media he anticipated the legal challenge. "The courts are doing what they do," he said. The county board of supervisors is scheduled to discuss the litigation in closed session on Tuesday.
California law generally requires counties to offer widespread vote-by-mail options, with all active registered voters receiving ballots. The state has expanded mail voting in recent years to improve access, particularly for those with disabilities, the elderly or those unable to vote in person. Hand-counting of ballots is not the standard practice statewide, where most counties use certified voting equipment.
The state contends that Measure B conflicts with multiple provisions of the California Elections Code and the state Constitution regarding uniform election administration. Details of the full legal arguments were outlined in the writ petition filed by the attorney general's office.
The case is the latest in ongoing tensions between state election officials and some local jurisdictions over voting rules. No immediate court ruling has been issued. Shasta County elections will continue under existing state law pending the outcome.
