Voter turnout for Shasta County, at less than 10%, is low so far, a trend reflected statewide. The Elections Department sent out 117,059 vote-by-mail ballots, and as of Tuesday a total of 12,295 ballots have been cast. That’s according to information from the California Secretary of State’s Office, which shows Shasta County is falling slightly behind the state average. Ballots postmarked by Tuesday will be accepted through June 9th, but the closer that day comes, the stronger the recommendation comes to return ballots in drop boxes. The boxes are much fewer than in previous Shasta County elections. They’re at the Downtown Redding Elections Office, Redding City Hall, Anderson City Hall, and the Shasta Lake Visitor Center.
-Steve Gibson