Outgoing ROV Curtis wants a new building and in-house printing. His likely successor says Shasta should budget for Measure B
Unofficial results show Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis will not continue to maintain his seat. During a presentation to supervisors this week, he asked for almost a million more than his last budget, describing plans to lease a new office space and conduct in-house printing. Former Assistant ROV Joanna Francescut, who’s poised to take his seat, has other priorities.
This Tuesday, during the first of three days of Shasta County budget hearings, Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis acknowledged his loss at the polls as he presented his budget request.
Curtis began his presentation by saying he was “not happy” with the outcome of the recent election, a casual reference to the apparent success of his campaign opponent, former Assistant ROV Joanna Francescut, who is poised to beat Curtis with more than 58% of the vote.
Despite her likely victory, Curtis will still be responsible for administering the November 2026 election as he finishes out the remainder of his term. Francescut would take over subsequent elections for the next four years.
Curtis continued to propose big program changes for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year despite his lame duck status. He said he hopes to upgrade to a larger, leased facility and implement an in-house ballot printing system.
His budget request totals to nearly $5.4 million, an increase of almost a million dollars as compared to the previous year. But nothing in the request mentions new costs associated with the implementation of Measure B, a controversial election initiative that’s poised to become law later this month.
That’s something Francescut said should be prioritized.
How does Curtis want to spend? And what does Francescut say?
Curtis’ presentation was big on vision but light on financial details. His overall fund request mentioned a number of high-budget items without clarifying the specific costs of each.
Curtis’ first priority is leasing a new building space. He said he hopes doing so will solve problems at the current facility, such as a lack of parking and issues with ADA access. He also mentioned that the larger space would address “difficulties performing other operational requirements” but did not explain what he meant by the term.
It’s not the first time he’s brought forward the idea to move. During last year’s budget hearing, Curtis made a similar request, asking the board for $2.6 million to fund the same building he’s pitching this time, the former Joann Fabrics on Dana Drive, along with equipment for ballot filming.
Last year’s plea was denied but it’s not yet clear whether the board will approve Curtis’ request this time. Budget hearings are a multi-day process that involve presentations from all departments before an extended discussion period by the board. That discussion and decision-making period are likely to occur this afternoon.
For this year’s budget proposal, Curtis said he estimates lease costs of the Joann Fabrics building at $340,000 a year without mentioning any needed improvements. Last year he estimated a cost of $400,000 annually plus an additional $1.2 million to make improvements.
Curtis suggested to supervisors that Shasta’s likely new ROV, Francescut, supported his vision to relocate, saying “my successor has wanted the same building, so it’s not just me asking.”
Francescut clarified in a message to Shasta Scout Tuesday that she has not spoken to Curtis about the idea of leasing the building on Dana Street, adding that while the opportunity to relocate would be wonderful, the timing and location should be carefully evaluated to avoid a rushed process or multiple moves.
Francescut also noted that Curtis’ budget pitch does not include costs of retrofitting a leased space, as well as the costs of relocating office equipment, supplies and staff.
When it came to Curtis’ request to fund an in-house printing system, financial details were also in short supply. He estimated costs in the short-run could total around $946,000, but did not explain where this figure came from, or what the process for setting up printing systems would entail. According to Curtis, the system would pay for itself after three election cycles.
Asked by Supervisor Matt Plummer during the meeting what California counties are currently conducting in-house printing, Curtis pointed to Los Angeles County. Shasta Scout could not confirm whether L.A. County — or any California county — prints ballots in-house, though California law does state that counties are legally allowed to operate their own ballot-printing systems if approved by the Secretary of State.
In messages to a reporter, Francescut shared concern about the idea of in-house printing, saying staff are already over-allocated during the lead-up to elections when printing deadlines occur. She also questioned why Curtis recently requested the board sign a contract with Runbeck Election Services for ballot printing and mailing services that would expire in December 2031 if he doesn’t intend to use those services.
Most importantly, Francescut said, Curtis’ budget request made no mention of costs associated with Measure B, which will require Shasta to implement hand counting at each precinct and maintain a separate voter roll from the state.
“These changes will require additional resources to implement,” Francescut said, “and outreach costs to explain the changes to voters.”
Curtis did not respond to a request for comment sent yesterday.
June 12, 2026 11:09 a.m.: We have updated the story to correct a reference to re-election.
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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Mr. Curtis is old news trying to make himself relevant in the time he has left. He has made a huge mess of things and should not be given a chance to make things worse. The BOS should indeed, immediately, bring up the Censure vote against Mr. Curtis, followed immediately by his dismissal for cause, and appointing Joanna as the Interim ROV.
Donna I agree with every word you wrote. Clint Curtis still believes he is relevant as he drives up costs to his department. What a big man baby saying he’s not happy with the outcome of the election. Who cares? Go away
It is clear from the comments in the Shasta Scout articles about Curtis’s actions and tenure as ROV, that he is widely disliked. He has not presented detailed funding proposals for his plans to move to a different facility which shows lack of organizational skills.
Any problems with printing should be addressed by careful proofreading of the ballots before the printing plates are made. It is not a good idea to create a full printing facility within the ROV!
It is of the utmost importance that the BOS terminate Curtis for the causes which have been considered for censure! We need a sensible operation of voting now!
Agreed. Well written. Curtis needs to be sent on his way
It appears that Clint Curtis has no intention of going quiet into his goodnight. As for details on the items in his budget request, the avoidance of details has always been the MAGA’s snake oil.
Having in house printing capabilities for events that occur every two years is ludicrous and not cost-efficient. But, Curtis himself is also ludicrous and not cost efficient. Fransescut is wise to plan for measure B, even if it doesn’t come to fruition. Therein lies the fundamental difference between the two.
Congratulations Joanna Francescut, now Shasta County CLERK-ELECT.
Dear Joanna, have NO LENIENCY towards Curtis & Assoc: time to PUBLICLY and OFFICIALLY request the county’s BOS on the establishment of an INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE of attorneys and other professionals in government administration to thoroughly investigate the dealings and actions of the current Clerk.
You have to make sure before being sworn into office in January 2027 that your department is clear of legal, administrative and financial issues.
Additionally, beware of those who have been openly proclaiming their support to your campaign (speaclly donors), when in reality these people -and institutions- may try to request “favors” knowing that you will become next County Clerk.
I really appreciate the coverage Shasta Scout has given to this election, best in the county. All the election workers should be commended for their hard work in this election, especially the volunteer poll workers. I’ve voted in Shasta County for 45 years and have never really heard of any voter fraud until Trump was elected. Now Trump is claiming there was fraud in the City of Los Angeles because Spencer Pratt did not qualify for the runoff for Mayor, on the same ballot the Repubican Steve Hilton did make the runoffs.
While I did not support Clint Curtis, I do give him credit for following through and meeting, so far, all the state required deadlins and making the election results easy to find. I’m sure he now realizes all of the knowledge and work that Joanna Frassecutt did.
He was NEVER ELECTED
Therefore he cannot have failed to be re-elected
LPendergast: Thank you! We have corrected this error with a time-stamped correction notice at the bottom of the article. We appreciate your feedback!
If the BOS knew what was good for itself, it would immediately bring up the Censure vote against Mr. Curtis, followed immediately after by his dismissal for cause, and appointing Joanna as the Interim ROV.
Of course, Crye and Co won’t do so because they have less than 6 months to burn the county to the ground.
You are absolutely correct when you say they want to burn it to the ground.
Agreed, but Kelstrom is still hanging on a dull hook. He just might try to save face with the upcoming election “if” he wants to stay in the game.
The ROV is an elected office. The BOS can’t fire Curtis for cause, even though they appointed him. He would have to be recalled in the November election, and after that election he’ll be a lame duck with no elections in front of him, so it wouldn’t accomplish much.
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The only way to get rid of him before the November election is if he resigns, likely in exchange for dropping criminal charges against him.
Maybe Curtis should be more concern with what DOJ and SOS on there investigation of potential crimes he and his staff may have committed violating California voting rules, policies and law.
If he is found guilty of a crime, he could be removed from office before our next election.
Since Clint should be leaving soon I would like to make a lowball offer on his Jaguar so I may enter it into the destruction derby at the inter mountain fair.
PHGWMF Jones—toast.
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Kevin Crye—soon to be toast.
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Clint Curtis—soon to be toast.
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Chris Kelstrom—likely soon to be toast.
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Corky Harmon—we’re toasting you next, bro.
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Department heads hired by Los Tres Pendejos—freshen your job-hunt resumes.
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Reverge Anselmo—reportedly about to kick the bucket and trying to checkbook his way into heaven by giving his remaining money away to Catholic dioceses and charities.
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The MAGA Zeppelin is imploding both locally and nationally. Buh bye, losers.
To quote one of the bestest movies, Time Bandits’: I like to see little people hitting each other. Let’s toast to that little people.
Curtis wants what?
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How about a little pony and a trip to the ajuducated rapist’s / convicted 34 count felon’s cage fighting match as well? Hey, Maybe he and Crye can invite Mr. Pellow to go with them.
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Measure B will hit the court in a few weeks and Clint will be asking for a ton of taxpayers dollars to defend the completely illegal mess.
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What he needs to do is drop the impending lawsuits he has in the wings, ask Shasta County citizens for forgiveness and resign…..ASAP.
I couldn’t care less if he has the decency to ask for forgiveness. I am OK with him resigning and leaving Shasta County pronto. We will even throw him a parade with American flags and red/white/blue ping-pong balls. How about that?
I’ll be watching Freedom 250. American action hero Gaethje vs. undefeated bada$$ stud Touporia is a great headliner. The whole card is stacked. Can’t wait.
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I’m also a big fan of Trump’s policy with Iran (not him so much). Bomb and bomb and bomb. Then work the media declaring success and peace when he knows that there will never be peace in that dumpster. Threaten to send in troops, but don’t do it. Very clever— finally. Bush 1 and 2 couldnt figure that out.
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Im happy to pay extra for gas to keep the heat turned up over there. Let’s go Gaethje! USA
Curtis’ proposals have always been light on details. He must think money grows on trees.
The truth is, he’s not very bright
I’d say no major changes to the Election office until the new ROV is seated. Only thing Curtis should be thinking about now, other than finding a new job in 2027 hopefully someplace far away from Shasta County, is how to implement Measure B if the state does not challenge it in court or if it is ratified by the courts. Period. No money for a new location, no money for in-house printing.
The problem with leasing a building is the unknown cost of future leasing.
It would be far better to use city or county owned property.
I wouldn’t allow curtis any funding except what is absolutley necessary
I recall when dirtbag majority leader Sen. McConnell denied President Obama a Supreme Court nomination during his last year in office because there was an upcoming presidential election, and voters might choose a different political party and direction.
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This isn’t even a hypothetical like the above case. Voters chose to toss our incompetent grifter ROV on the trash heap of Shasta County’s history. The BOS shouldn’t give Curtis a dime toward his vision of the ROV office’s future. We’re effing done with him.
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I’d be okay with the BOS funding his immediate move back to Florida, though.
I think we all would agree to that
Right there with you Michelle
What the hell was the Unknown Substance Nick Gardner sprayed on the Shasta County Supervisors meeting lectern?
Why should other speakers be exposed to God knows what, unknown hazardous material?
You supervisors setting a precedence for this kind of continued behavior?
Why did you not call him out on this behavior? Is it because he is a pal of Kevin Crye?
Absolute crock of shit to be sure…
You’d have more credibility if you didn’t resort to profanity!
Cmon Nick, Inquiring minds want to know. What DID you spray on the podium and what message were you trying to communicate with such an action?