“My Office Stands Ready To Take Any Actions Necessary”: California Secretary of State Warns That Shasta Elections Must Comply with New State Law
Meanwhile Board Supervisor Patrick Jones says he’s still searching for a way out of complying with AB 969, a new state law that requires Shasta County to machine, not hand, count the votes for the November 7 election.
A portion of the Shasta County elections office during the November 2022 election. Photo by Annelise Pierce.
California’s Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, has responded to a letter sent last week by a group of nonprofit, nonpartisan voting rights advocates by issuing a stern warning to Shasta County officials. Comply with new state law AB 969, which forbids hand counting in jurisdictions with more than 1,000 registered voters, Weber wrote, or be ready for her office to take any actions necessary to ensure the county does so.
As California Secretary of State, Weber is the state’s chief election officer, tasked with overseeing the elections process statewide. She is responding in no uncertain terms to recent claims by Shasta County Board Chair Patrick Jones that AB 969 might not apply in Shasta County because the decision to hand count votes locally was made months before the bill was created.
That claim, Weber wrote in her letter, dated October 27, is based on the “unfounded theory” that Shasta County was somehow “grandfathered in.”
“Such a claim,” Weber stated decisively, “is wholly without merit and has no basis in law.”
As of October 4, she wrote, AB 969 is state law and any actions that contradict it would be a violation of state law.
“I expect that you will uphold your obligation to comply with the law,” Weber continued. “Failing that, my office stands ready to take any actions necessary to ensure that Shasta County conducts all elections in accordance with state law.”
An October 27 letter sent by California’s Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, to Shasta County officials.
Earlier this week, Shasta Scout spoke with County Board Chair Jones with a request for his response to the six nonprofit, nonpartisan voting rights advocates who contacted the Secretary of State. Their letter was sent, the advocates wrote, because of their belief that Jones’ opposition to following 969, as well as a local “torrent of misinformation and disinformation” about elections, could compromise both the November 7 election process and next year’s March 5 elections.
In response, Jones suggested to Shasta Scout that the organizations, which include Disability Rights California, the California Voter Foundation, the League of Women Voters, Verified Voters, Common Cause and the ACLU of Northern California, should “do a little work, do a little research and really think about what’s actually going on” with elections.
Jones repeated many of his prior claims about what he believes is ongoing statewide elections fraud and said he’s currently searching for the “appropriate attorney . . . to take the case for 969.”
“If we find such,” Jones continued, “we’ll bring it back to a majority of the board and if it’s passed by a majority of the board we’ll move forward.”
But, Jones said, regardless of whether an attorney is found, the fight against what he feels is a fraudulent local voting process will continue.
“This is not going to stop no matter what happens. People know too much now. They’ve been working on it; investigating lots of information . . . and history will prove itself in time.”
Asked if he intends to comply with state law this election, by supporting Shasta County Registrar of Voters (ROV) Cathy Darling Allen’s plan to machine count the vote, Jones balked.
“We (the Board) set the policy (for elections),” he said. “And we oversee the election department. The ROV carries out the daily functions. So we’ll see. We’ll see what happens . . . . That remains to be decided, and hopefully in a court of law.”
In contradiction to Jones’ claim that he and other board members oversee the elections department, Darling Allen has previously cited California Government Code 25303, which addresses the role of county boards and indicates that supervisors do not have the power to direct the manner in which a county officer, which would include the clerk of elections, performs their duties.
Darling Allen also cited a portion of California election law, section 25021, which outlines the Board’s power over the elections process, and does not include setting policy or overseeing the office as Jones claims.
Supervisors Tim Garman and Mary Rickert both also spoke to Shasta Scout late last week. Both emphasized that they would welcome the Secretary of State’s involvement in the elections process to ensure compliance with the law.
“I support that,” said Garman, “one hundred percent. We need some oversight from the Secretary of State because we have to have fair and free elections.”
Have questions, concerns, or comments you’d like to share with us directly? Reach out: editor@shastascout.org. If you choose to leave a comment please keep in mind our community guidelines. All comments will be moderated to ensure a healthy civic dialogue.
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I find most of the comments amusing and somewhat disturbing. Too many people have studied at the Javert School of Legalist Philosophy. I don’t find the, “It’s the Law. We must comply” argument compelling. Laws are like any other human construction. Like your plumbing or the city streets, they are evaluated by how well they work. No one would ever say, “It’s the plumbing. We must comply” when someone notices that the plumbing is not working. .
Papa Joe Stalin said that it doesn’t matter who votes. It matters who counts the votes. Those who support the idea of hand counting are opposed to turning over control of the vote count to some opaque, distant, centralised authority that controls the machines and the algorithms that run them. We need to find a way to restore local control of voting and many other things rather than just trusting the man behind the curtain pulling the levers.
There is no man behind the curtain pulling the levers.
There have been over 60 court cases of so-called election fraud that have been thrown out due to lack of evidence.
On the other hand there is a recording of Trump calling people to find extra votes so that he could overturn the election.
Get your facts straight and stop making up stories.
Welcome to a court room and a judge who’ll tell PHJ and Company…see the law and ‘Oh, BTW, go to H.E.L.L.’
As far as Crye saying he won’t vote for a raise…that’s pure BS, he knows that’s how he looks good when it comes to Recall Him ! “See, I don’t need more money, I already have Mr. Lindell & Mr. Anselmo taking care of me”. “Oops. I mean those funds that come to me through those hand shake deals with my Ninja school programs”. “Oh gosh, don’t quote me on the latter statement, OK…promise….huh ?” “Ooooh, can you just not quote me ?”
After reading the comments, and comments to other comments, I see that some have the idea to to use machines and hand count, great idea, but who’s tax dollars are going to pay for it, Jones will cost Shasta County millions in legal fees just to play his little war on Sacramento and his beliefs in the voting controversy that my pillow guy Mike Lindell has been pushing.
The was absolutely no problem with the Dominion system, and that has been proven in court, just ask Fox News and Tucker, Jones needs to keep his nose out out Darling’s responsibilities as county clerk, and the only way to do that is to vote him and his other conspiracy theorists off the board, and then we can have real board members that aren’t trying to push their own personal political agendas .
CA state government is the most destructive and incompetent in the U.S. They can go to h-e-double toothpicks. A bunch of complete clowns trying to ram their undeserved authority down the throats of every conservative. They have terrible judgment and are not smart people. That has been proven over the last 30 years at least.
You, sir, are not a conservative. You are part of a cult that is to the far right.
True conservatives need to stand up against this madness, and the lies, and the fairy tales that are made up.
It’s time to listen to facts and reason, and not irrational beliefs that are based on feelings that are not based on any type of empirical evidence.
They should have voting machines and hand count. They should match up
I live in shingletown ca. I’m a register voter .
I’m sick of the left crying foul everytime their scam election machines ( WHERE ARE THE CERTIFICATION RECIEPTS ) at dominion , I just want same day voting with paper ballots that can be scrutinized by both sides and The Public FREELY . THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR THAT MULTIPLE METHODS OF GAMING THE SYSTEM ARE OBVIOUS ! Also calling Yourselves , and I’m referring to Gavin Shirley Mary Tim Cathy and ALL the rest who are trying to sell us a Lie Voting Scam System . Honorable and Distinguished is also a Decietful Lying Scam . I will remember your name and search out your voting records and then FIRE YOU ALL !
Wow! There was zero proof of any voter fraud that would have changed any election outcomes, despite a lot of big money and people investigating this. The Dominion machines are more accurate than hand-counting. This is a “big lie” that many folks have succumbed to believing, so try not to feel bad for being duped and catch up to speed now.
Why does it matter if there is enough voter fraud to affect the outcome of an election? There should be zero manipulation of votes and persons doing so should receive mandatory jail time, massive fines and lose the ability to work in any government job.
@Steven:
Ah yes, all that evidence…where is that again?
You have an audio recording of Trump trying to get Georgia to “find” him 11,780 votes, exactly 1 more vote than he lost by, and a conspiracy of fake electors taking plea deals for their involvement in trying to steal an election. Trump’s “Perfect Phone Call” was so perfect he tried to prevent everyone from hearing it.
Even Rudy is admitting to some of his election lies. Yet it’s the left that’s trying to pull a scam? LOL!
YOU SIR SOUND LIKE YOU ARE A TOTAL CONSPIRACY THEORIST!! STOP HARASSING PEOPLE AND THREATENING PEOPLE. THAT IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. DECENT CITIZENS OF SOUND MIND HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU PEOPLE WHO SAY ALL VOTING MACHINES ARE RIGGED AND CAN BE MANIPULATED. YOU NEED TO GET SOME PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE ASAP AND LAY OFF WITH YOUR TWISTED THEORIES OF HOW EVERYTHING IS RIGGED. SHASTA COUNTY NEEDS TO DO WHAT THE LAW SAYS.PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
Thank You Shasta Scout! It seems that is all Trick, No Treat! The J.C.K. Cartel is shifting into full speed ahead. They see little to no opposition. Next meeting: A 78% raise from $53,000 to $100,000 with benefits for P-Time Job. A 5K a-month car allowance. A Charter County Resolution. Getting rid of C.D.A. Election Committee raiding recall signatures. Wu appointment was a scam, against committee recommendation. The Cartel is looking at lawsuits against the State of Ca. and Heart. Again, they think they see little to no opposition, and what opposition there is at supervisor meetings is a hand full of usual people. I know there are more people concerned, and we are all needed to defend democracy here is Shasta Co. before it’s gone.
How do we get this information out to the general public?
Make up flyers and go door to door? No time before Tuesday!
These thieves must be stopped! the Mu thing is really disgraceful.
Victoria, Thank (subscribe if you can) the local media that the J.C.K. Cartel calls “The enemy of the people,” for having the fortitude to expose the Cartel for what it is, a far right to extreme right organized Cartel that issues authoritarian decrees, threats, conspiracies (lies) and tries to come as close as they can to breaking law. But, you are correct, even though the media has informed us of the issues, time and date, there’s no time before this meeting to do much other than show up if you can.
A problem any Cartel opposition has is lack of re$ources and insufficient organizational power and fortitude to lead a full on, loud and proud to save democracy, organized effort.
True, the 5 parties from outside the county organizing the opposition to the J.C.K. Cartel’s plan to commit election crime and the Secretary of State are challenging the Cartel with legal action. And locally the bipartisan Recall Committee has done a lot to get Crye on the ballot; and that’s a heck of a good start! But, also true is that it’s not always a lack of money that thwarts a movement as much as an organization leading who are people willing to loudly and proudly protest and speak out in an organized fashion, to save democracy. And, sometimes organized “Good Trouble” can help get the word out!
Personally I think it’s a little suspicious that the state feels so strongly about wanting a machine to count the votes. You can always audit paper votes when the chain of custody is maintained, however the machines can be tampered with in a way where normal people cannot give informed consent regarding how the machine works or have a meaningful way of addressing any grievances.
I agree, if we Must go with machine count, I say we also hand count. Let’s see just what their motives are. Hopefully, we can refuse to Certify until the hand count is finished.
The chain of custody of the PAPER BALLOTS inserted into the machines is maintained AND a sample of them are audited via HAND COUNT to ensure accuracy of the machine counts.
Where did you find that info / the specifics? Agenda does have compensation discussion and vote listed but no specific numbers.
The information is attached. Just click on the dots to load the additional documentation. The three extremist board members who have voted in ways that cost us tax-payers ridiculous amounts of money already are voter-suppressionists and they are fiscally irresponsible. They also just voted in a medical doctor who is much less qualified in comparison to the other candidate to replace a highly qualified and awesome SC Public Health Officer, even though seven of the eight members of the advisory interview panel fully supported the other candidate, not Dr. Mu. Now, they are trying and will likely pass a change in their salary and compensation package from a base salary of about 53K per year to over 93K per year, which is egregious !
Very good, informative article
It’s embarrassing that Shasta County Board of Supervisors has a majority of uninformed, illogical and intransigent people making decisions that have cost the county not only financially but reputation wise.
I’m so proud to be a part of the non-partisan League of Women Voters; we are continually working to guarantee fair and free voting for our citizens. Our League’s letter to the Secretary of State (with other non-profit organizations), and her subsequent response, illustrates how collaboration, not divisiveness, can bring our community together in a positive way to maintain fraud-free elections in Shasta County.
I am proud to be a Union Board member of ACLU-NorCal; we are continually working to guarantee fair and free voting for our community. We must stand firm against the deceitful attempts to take us into chaos.