Measure B, the election reform initiative approved by 56% of Shasta County voters, will not be defended by Shasta County government. That’s what the Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday in closed session after a lawsuit to strike down the measure was filed last week by the California Attorney General and Secretary of State. The suit asks a state appeals court to invalidate the measure and declare that it “Volates and is preempted by California Law”. It would require photo ID to register and vote. Early voting and vote-by-mail options would be nearly eliminated and ballots would be hand counted. It also would create a county voter registration system disconnected from the state system. Dozens of people stepped up during public comment Tuesday to vigorously defend or deride the measure. Supervisors emerged from closed session within 30 minutes to announce their 4 to 0 decision not to spend any taxpayer dollars on defending the initiative in court. Kevin Crye had left the meeting early. The county fought to keep Measure B off the ballot, but they lost when a judge said a petition overrode their authority to stop it.
-Steve Gibson