California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.
filed a lawsuit on Friday seeking to invalidate Shasta County's Measure B, which would fundamentally alter the county's election system in violation of state law. The lawsuit, filed in the California Third District Court of Appeal, challenges Measure B's provisions that require government-issued photo identification for voter registration and in-person voting, eliminate vote-by-mail and most early voting options, mandate hand-counting of ballots, and establish a separate county voter registration system disconnected from the state's uniform system.
Measure B would restrict elections to a single in-person Election Day, with limited exceptions for voters with disabilities, military members, and U.S. citizens living abroad.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized that Measure B is legally indefensible and directly conflicts with state law, threatening the orderly administration of elections. He noted that Shasta County voters are only months away from the November midterm elections, making swift judicial action critical.
Secretary of State Weber argued that Measure B would roll back progress in making elections more accessible and secure, dismantling protections that help voters participate. She stated that allegations of widespread election fraud are unsupported by evidence and that California already requires identity verification during voter registration.
The lawsuit argues that Measure B exceeds Shasta County's authority as a charter county, as charter status does not grant control over voter registration or election procedures. Even if it did, state law preempts Measure B, requiring uniform election rules across all 58 counties.
The measure was legally flawed from the start, with the county previously seeking court guidance to avoid preparing a ballot title due to legal concerns, and its lead proponent acknowledging that "there are sections that are illegal." The state seeks a quick ruling to ensure uniform application of California's election laws in the upcoming November election.
Attorney General Bonta has a history of protecting voting rights, including leading multistate coalitions to block sweeping voter restrictions attempted by former President Trump and challenging his interference with states' constitutional authority to run elections.