Shasta Supervisors to Discuss Legal Petition Over Election Ballot Initiative

Petition seeks to stop proposed ballot measure that would amend county's charter to implement local election policies.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A legal petition has been filed against Shasta County election officials and the Board of Supervisors, seeking to stop a proposed ballot initiative that would amend the county's charter to implement new local election policies. Supervisors will discuss the petition in a closed session meeting on February 20.

Why it matters

The proposed ballot initiative, if approved by voters in June, would allow Shasta County to implement election policies that contradict state law, including voter ID requirements and hand-counting of ballots. The petition argues these policies would violate state and federal voting rights laws.

The details

The petition was filed this week by a Jane Doe, without legal representation. It demands the ballot initiative, known as the Voter ID, Hand-Counted Ballots, and Absentee Voting Limits Initiative, be removed from the June ballot. The initiative was championed by local election activists connected to the county's Registrar of Voters. The petition claims the initiative's wording contradicts state law and recent court precedents.

  • The petition was filed on February 17, 2026.
  • Supervisors will discuss the petition in a closed session meeting on February 20, 2026.

The players

Jane Doe

The individual who filed the legal petition against election officials and the Board of Supervisors.

Clint Curtis

Shasta County's Registrar of Voters.

Shasta County Board of Supervisors

The county governing body that will discuss the legal petition in a closed session meeting.

Laura Hobbs

Election activist closely connected to the county's Registrar of Voters, who helped champion the proposed ballot initiative.

Richard Gallardo

Election activist closely connected to the county's Registrar of Voters, who helped champion the proposed ballot initiative and is running for Shasta County Supervisor.

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What they’re saying

“Removing the proposed initiative from the ballot is 'necessary to prevent an irreversible and unlawful waste of public funds.'”

— Jane Doe (Shasta Scout)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to grant the petition's demands to stop the county from placing the initiative on the June ballot.

The takeaway

This legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions over election policies in Shasta County, with activists pushing for changes that conflict with state law, and officials seeking to uphold existing voting rights protections.