CalMatters, Shasta Scout host local voter information event ahead of midterm elections

CalMatters and Shasta Scout partnered to host a nonpartisan voter information event at The Trilogy Building on Saturday afternoon to inform voters about the upcoming midterm elections. 

The election is on Nov. 3, and voters will be deciding on a swath of candidates running for office along with a number of statewide ballot propositions and local measures. CalMatters has been traveling throughout the state to help educate voters, giving presentations on the election and this year’s ballot in coordination with local newsrooms. 

Around 50 people attended Saturday’s event, which started with election trivia led by CalMatters Partnerships Director Dan Hu. Shasta Scout Director and Managing Editor Annelise Pierce gave a brief presentation about Shasta County’s ballot measures, Measures E and F, which revisit proposals previously rejected by voters in 2024.

Following Pierce’s presentation, Hu discussed CalMatters’ Voter Guide, which includes in-depth information about this November’s election. The site has tabs on state offices, such as California governor and secretary of state, legislatures and propositions, as well as a feature called My Ballot, which allows users to see what’s on their local ballot digitally. 

Hu also educated the audience on a few statewide ballot propositions. Proposition 5, as he explained, would delay the replacement of recalled state officials. Proposition 39 would implement voter ID, and Proposition 40 would apply a one-time tax to billionaires in California to fund education and health care. Hu explained how there are two propositions, Propositions 41 and 42, that essentially attempt to block propositions like the billionaire tax by placing limits on new special taxes. 

Hu walked the audience through the propositions on the Voter Guide, outlining how the site shows the propositions’ summaries, endorsements and donations, as well as brief videos that explain information about the propositions. After each proposition was discussed, the audience had a chance to talk in small groups about their thoughts on them, spurring engaged discussion between community members. 

The Voter Guide also contains proposition quizzes intended to allow voters to determine which choices match their views.

Hu also talked about the race for insurance commissioner, which regulates the state’s insurance market — a significant role given that it affects all Californians in a state often impacted by natural disasters. State Senator Ben Allen and former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, both Democrats, are running for the state office. 

See CalMatters’ 2026 Voter Guide here. 

Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.