Shasta County Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis has agreed to take no legal position on Measure B as the state fights it in court. The lawsuit filed by California’s Attorney General and Secretary of State is being heard in Shasta County Superior Court. The AG had initially tried to fast-track the suit by going straight to a State Court of Appeal, but that court sent it back to the county venue. The measure, which calls for major changes in how elections are run, got approval from 56% of voters, but the state says the changes it calls for are in violation of state law. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors had already voted not spend any money to defend the measure in court, or to take a position on it. That also extends to the ROV, though he had previously expressed support for it and some of the key supporters and authors of the measure are his employees in the elections office. The refusal to support the measure will presumably prevent the county from being held liable for court costs. During Tuesday’s pre-disposition hearing, Judge Ben Hanna said he wants to move the case through as quickly as possible ahead of the November General Election. On August 10th the court is set to decide whether to grant the state a preliminary injunction preventing Measure B from being implemented while court proceedings continue.
-Steve Gibson