Case Against Shasta Elections Office Continues, Despite Delays

Shasta County Superior Court Judge Benjamin Hanna told election activists Dan Ladd and Laura Hobbs to stop apologizing during an April 1 procedural hearing for their case against the Shasta Elections Office. Apologies should be reserved, Hanna said, for intentional disrespect of the court, not honest mistakes. Just learn the protocol, Hanna continued.

Ladd and Hobbs’ honest mistakes included a failure to serve timely paperwork to the defendant in the case, Shasta County Registrar of Voters Tom Toller. During a discussion with Judge Hanna, Hobbs said that happened because she hadn’t been sure how to serve paperwork given that Toller had been out of town. 

The Judge blandly suggested making email contact. He added that the legal process between Ladd and Hobbs – who are representing themselves – and Toller’s counsel won’t be like golf. The two amateur plaintiffs, Hanna explained, will not receive a “handicap” for not having hired an attorney. But he also can’t give them legal advice as they navigate the court process, the Judge clarified, as his role is to remain impartial.

Ladd and Hobbs’ did eventually serve Toller the most recent paperwork in the case but not until a day before the April 1 court date. The late service meant Toller’s attorney didn’t have adequate time to review the documents before the hearing, leading to a delay in the case of about six weeks. 

During the April 1 court date, Hobbs asked the judge to expedite the matter, citing what she sees as the urgency of the election-related legal case. The judge declined to do so. 

The lawsuit filed by Ladd and Hobbs alleges that Toller engaged in a number of illegal activities during the November 2024 election, including “violations of public observation requirements,” and “suspected security breaches”. Hobbs filed a similar lawsuit against the County last year which was thrown out by another Shasta County Superior Court judge due to a profound lack of evidence. 

Toller will step down from his role as ROV on April 29, several weeks before the next hearing in the case. He’s being sued in his official capacity as the County’s top election official and is represented by Christopher Pisano of the legal firm Best, Best and Krieger. 

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 12 at 9 am.

Nevin Kallepalli contributed reporting for this story.

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