With the upcoming election on November 5, 2024, fast approaching, it's time for all Shasta County residents to gear up and ensure their voices are heard. Voting is not just a right—it’s a cornerstone of our democracy. By casting your ballot, you help shape the future of our community, influencing the policies and leadership that impact our daily lives.
Why Voting Matters
Each election, whether local or national, presents an opportunity for you to have a say in how your county, state, and country are governed. This year, Shasta County has important measures on the ballot that will directly affect how our local government operates, making it more critical than ever for you to participate. Your vote helps determine outcomes that affect your community, property, safety, and governance. It’s an essential tool in steering the future of Shasta County.
Thank You to Our Elections Department
Our Elections Department plays a crucial role in making this process possible. With 59 different ballots for Shasta County—each tailored to the unique districts in our region—creating, organizing, and distributing them is no small task. Our team works diligently to ensure that all voters receive the correct information and that every vote is counted accurately. They make each election run smoothly, ensuring that our democratic process is accessible and efficient for all.
Voting Information Guide – Your Key Resource
To ensure residents are well-informed, each registered voter will receive a Voter Information Guide. This guide is packed with everything you need to know: from your rights as a voter, how and where to vote, to detailed descriptions of each ballot measure.
The guide breaks down each issue with impartial analysis, listing the pros and cons of each measure, and even includes the names of those for and against the item. It’s designed to help you make an informed decision when you vote. If you haven’t received your guide or ballot by October 15th, don’t worry—you can request a replacement by visiting our Elections Office or using the application found in the guide.
4 Easy Ways to Vote
We want to make voting as easy and convenient as possible for all Shasta County residents. Here are the four ways you can cast your vote this election:
- By Mail:
If voting by mail, simply drop your completed ballot in any USPS mailbox. It must be postmarked by November 5th, and we must receive it by November 12th to be counted. - In Person at the Elections Office:
You can vote early at the Elections Office, located at 1643 Market Street, Redding, CA 96001. The office is open from 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday, starting October 7th until Election Day, November 5th. For extra convenience, the office will also be open on Saturday, November 2nd from 9 AM - 3 PM. - In Person at a Polling Place:
Polling places will be open on Election Day from 7 AM - 8 PM. Your polling place location is listed on the back of your Voter Information Guide. If you prefer voting in person, bring your ballot with you or ask a poll worker for a new one. - By Drop Box:
Official Shasta County Elections Office drop boxes are available from October 7th to November 5th. These boxes are emptied regularly by election staff, and their locations and hours are listed on pages 10-11 of your Voter Information Guide.
Important Ballot Items: Measures P and Q
This year, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors majority has placed two key measures on the ballot that could significantly impact how our county functions:
- Measure P (Amendment to the Shasta County Charter):
This measure proposes to limit the County’s use of eminent domain, prohibiting the County from acquiring property from a private owner, without their consent. Eminent domain is the legal process that allows government entities to acquire private property for public use with compensation to the owner. - Measure Q (Amendment to the Shasta County Charter):
Measure Q seeks to address how mid-term vacancies of elected department heads are filled. If approved, it would allow the Board of Supervisors to either appoint a replacement or call a special election to fill such vacancies.
Each of these measures requires a simple majority to pass, and full descriptions, analyses, and arguments for and against can be found in your Voter Information Guide.
Let’s Show Our Appreciation—and Vote!
Election Day is right around the corner, and I encourage every eligible resident to participate. Our Elections Department has worked hard to ensure you have the resources and opportunities to vote, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them again for their outstanding service to our community.
So, whether by mail, drop box, or in person, let’s make our voices heard on November 5th. Together, we can shape the future of Shasta County.
For more information, refer to your Voter Information Guide or contact the Shasta County Elections Office.
David J. Rickert
Shasta County CEO