Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Shasta County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in general
Filling vacancies in elected county offices (Measure F)
A charter amendment would require most vacancies in elected county department head positions to be filled by special election, with an open public recruitment only if no election is possible within 12 months.
State election lawsuit against the County
In closed session the Board voted 4-0 to provide no defense for the County or Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis in the Attorney General's election lawsuit (People v. County of Shasta, now on appeal as C106517).
state lawsuit over Measure B
A lawsuit challenges the legality of a proposed county charter amendment on elections that qualified for the June ballot. Supervisors had to decide whether the county pays for the Registrar of Voters's attorney and whether the measure's proponents can defend it themselves — decisions that affect whether voters get to weigh in.
Youth substance use prevention (C.O.R.E.)
The Board heard how opioid settlement money is funding a youth substance use prevention and education program run through C.O.R.E. and Raising Shasta.
Political Polarization in Local Governance
Shasta County’s local politics has been consumed by far-right polarization, and the big question is whether residents can rebuild trust in who runs county government. It matters because dysfunction at the local level affects public services, county decisions, and whether neighbors can work together again.
Local Political Takeover / Far-right Governance
Far-right activists have effectively taken over Shasta County’s government, and local politics has turned toxic. That means your county board—the one making decisions about services, budgets, and local rules—is now a battleground. If you live there, this isn’t abstract national politics; it’s your daily local government.