California Shasta County Election System Overhaul Challenge 

A pro-voting lawsuit seeking to block Shasta County, California from overhauling its entire election system and undermining state election laws. 

Background

The state of California is suing Shasta County and county officials to block the Republican-leaning county from overhauling its entire election system. In June, voters in Shasta County approved a ballot measure that would require voters to present a government-issued photo identification to register to vote and vote in person, eliminate vote-by-mail and most early voting options, mandate the hand-counting of ballots, and create a separate county voter registration system disconnected from the state’s uniform system. In its lawsuit, California argues that the new ballot measure exceeds Shasta County’s authority over elections. Even if the county had such authority, the policies would be overruled by state law requiring uniform election rules across California, the state further argues. California is seeking a court order blocking the ballot measure ahead of the November election. 

Why It Matters

Shasta County has been a hotbed for election conspiracies and anti-voting policies. In 2024, the county attempted to implement a plan to hand county ballots for the general election. The new plan threatens to upend the county’s elections system of more than 116,000 voters just months before the November election. 

Latest Update

• June 12, 2026: California filed its petition.