Shasta County special election guide: What to know before, after you vote on Nov. 7

David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight
Updated ·3 min read

Shasta County will hold a special election Nov. 7.

On the ballot is an open seat on the Gateway Unified School District Board of Trustees and two measures asking whether to create a new Shasta Fire Protection Formation District and to elect three members to the new district's board of directors.Two candidates are vying for one open seat on the Gateway school board, vacated when then-board President Cherrill Clifford resigned on Feb. 6 amid controversy over the firing last December of longtime Superintendent Jim Harrell.

Also on the ballot are three measures related to whether a new fire protection district should be created.Measure A asks whether the Shasta Fire Protection District should be formed.

Measure B asks whether to approve a $20 annual fee on each parcel in the new district to staff a fire station with two firefighters/paramedics and two seasonal firefighters. To pass, Measure B needs a two-thirds vote. If the district is not formed but the funding measure passes, the money will go to the Shasta County Fire Department.The third related measure asks voters to elect three members to the new fire protection district's board of directors.

Here are five more things you need to know about the election.

Missed the deadline to vote? Here's what to do

Oct. 23 was the last day to register to vote for the election.

But voters who missed the deadline can still register via same day voter registration, called conditional registration.

Residents who want to register conditionally will need to complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request their ballot in person at the Shasta County elections office or their polling location.

Go to https://elections.shastacounty.gov/ for more information.

How do I know if I'm registered to vote?

Residents that want to check their current registration status can find that out here.

Be aware that if you recently registered or re-registered, the information may not have updated immediately.

Early voting has started

Early voting for the Nov. 7 election started in mid-October.

Voters who do not want to wait until election day to cast their ballot can go to the Shasta County election office in downtown Redding at 1643 Market St. to vote in person. The office is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Polls open on election day at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The county elections office website has a poll-finder tool.

Also, here is a link to other frequently asked election day questions.

Ballot questions?

The Shasta County Elections office has a slew of information if voters have questions about their ballot.

Voters can enter their information to track their ballot and check the status of their absentee ballot.

Other resources include how voters can get a new ballot in the event theirs gets lost, and if someone can pick up a ballot for another person.

Interested in observing the election process?

Anyone can observe the election process.

Those interested to see a specific process or want more information can email observers@co.shasta.ca.us.

Here is what can be observed:

  • Logic and accuracy testing

  • Poll-worker training

  • Early voting

  • Vote-by-mail ballot processing

  • Election day

  • Official canvass.

Here is what observers can't do:

  • Interfere with the board members or the voting process

  • Touch any voting materials

  • Sit at a table

  • Use electronic devices, take video or photos

  • Discuss any ballot or political issue

  • Be in the area where the voters are casting their ballots

  • Intimidate or impede board members or voters.

For more information, click here.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter, @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta County special election guide for Nov. 7