State Monitors, Machine Counting, and More: Here’s What You Need To Know for Shasta County’s November 7 Election

8:04 a.m. We updated the list of polling places to reflect updates on the Shasta County Elections Office website.

Tomorrow, November 7, is an election day in Shasta County. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s on the Ballot?

During this election, voters will decide which of two candidates will sit on the Gateway Union School District Board to represent the District’s Area 2. Voters will also decide whether to form and fund a new Shasta Fire Protection District and if so, who will sit on the Board of that district.

You can read our interviews with Gateway School District board candidates Camille King and Casey Bowden, here.

Am I Supposed to Vote?

Most of Shasta County will not be voting in the November 7, 2023 election because the issues on the ballot only directly affect about 10,000 voters in two small areas of the county. Since California law requires sending all eligible voters a vote-by-mail ballot, if you haven’t received one, it’s likely you’re not in one of the two small areas of the county that are voting.

You can double-check whether you’re eligible to vote here. If you are eligible to vote but haven’t received a ballot you can vote by showing up at your designated precinct, completing a conditional (or same-day) registration, and casting your ballot in person.

Will I Vote by Machine or Using a Paper Ballot?

Most people will use paper ballots to vote. But each voting precinct will have a single voting machine to allow those with disabilities to have access to vote. The accessible machines can be used by anyone, not just those with disabilities. Votes cast on the machines will be printed out by the machine on a ballot that looks just like all the other ballots.

How Will My Vote Be Counted?

All votes cast in the election will be machine-counted. That’s because of a new state law, AB 969, which made it illegal for elections officials to manually tally votes in elections with more than 1,000 registered voters.

Shasta County’s Board voted to purchase the Hart InterCivic certified voting machine system for this and other elections. Votes will be counted at the Shasta County Elections Office but not until after the polls have closed at 8 p.m.

While most votes will be counted quickly, the final vote count will not be available until after November 20, which is the last date voters can cure issues related to their signatures, including if they forgot to sign the envelope.

The final election results will become available around November 22.

Will There Be Additional Security Precautions at This Election?

Statewide advocacy groups have expressed concerns that widespread sharing of misinformation and opposition from at least one public official, Patrick Jones, could lead to issues with free and fair elections in Shasta County this fall. Darling Allen said her office will coordinate with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of her staff and voters.

And just like last year, she said, her office has applied for a special permit from the City of Redding to close the alley behind the elections office on the night of the vote for increased security.

Will California’s Secretary of State Have Observers or Monitors at Shasta County Elections?

Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen was told by the Secretary of State’s office last week that monitors from the state would be present at Shasta County precincts for election day. She said she has not received any updates confirming or changing those plans. Monitors from the Secretary of State’s office, should they appear, will be observers just like other election observers, Darling Allen said, and will not participate in any other way in the election process.

Who Can Observe Voting or Vote Counting?

Anyone can observe the process of an election including early voting, vote-by-mail ballot processing, election day, post-election audits and more. You do not need permission to observe, Darling Allen emphasized, you can simply show up to a polling place or the Elections Office and sign in as an observer. You must follow state rules for election observers.

Election observers cannot:

• Interfere in the work being performed.
• View signatures on petitions or come within 6 feet of the staff working on those items.
• Use electronic devices, take video or photos while observing election processes.
• Touch any materials or equipment.
• Sit at a desk or workspace of elections personnel.
• Display any election material or wear campaign badges, buttons or apparel.
• Wear the uniform of a peace officer, private guard or security personnel.
• Distract elections personnel from their tasks.

What If I See Someone Being Harassed While Trying to Vote?

Darling Allen says voters are encouraged to talk to the Elections Inspector at their voting precinct if they become aware of any kind of election interference. That interference could include speaking about issues on the ballot or holding signs or other promotional materials about those issues within 100 feet of a polling place.

“The idea is to allow other voters to cast their votes in a way that’s free from influence,” Darling Allen explained.

If voters have an issue with the Inspector, Darling Allen said, they can also call the Elections Office for help.

When and Where Do I Vote?

Polling Places:

Voting Precinct Number	Polling Place	Address	City
191202	Family Celebration Center	3220 Keswick Dam Rd.	Redding
291930	The Church of Jesus Christ of LDS	3950 Sunflower Dr	Redding
431002	American Legion	4309 Vallecito St	Shasta Lake
431003	Shasta Lake City Community Center	4499 Main St	Shasta Lake
431004	Shasta Lake City Community Center	4500 Main St	Shasta Lake
490500	Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship	19200 Fellowship Way	Redding

Ballot Drop Boxes:

Redding

Shasta County Elections Office	1643 Market Street	Look under the green awning at the south end of the Market Street Promenade.
Redding City Hall	777 Cypress Avenue	Look in front of the building, next to the Utility Payment Drop Box.
Redding Electric Utility	3611 Avtech Parkway	Look to the side of the building, next to the Utility Payment Drop Box.

Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake Visitor Center

1525 Median Avenue

Look in front of the building next to the main entrance.

Here’s what else you should know:

You can track your ballot on the Secretary of State’s website once it has been cast. Sign up to track your vote here.

Have a question, comment, or concern? Email us: editor@shastascout.org