KQED's The California Report
Shasta County's Top Election Official Looks To Ease Voter's Concerns
Oct 30, 2024
Alex Hall, a KQED reporter specializing in Shasta County elections, sheds light on the challenges facing voters in this northern California region. He discusses the recent transition of election officials following the retirement of a longtime registrar. The conversation touches on community trust issues, including local decisions on voting integrity and the shift to hand-counted ballots. Hall also emphasizes the importance of transparency in managing elections and reassures voters about the security of their voting machines.
11:44
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Quick takeaways
- Shasta County's new registrar, Tom Toller, aims to rebuild trust in elections through transparency and addressing community fears about voting machines.
- Proposition 35 seeks to enhance Medi-Cal doctor payments by reallocating funds, although concerns about its impact on other essential services remain.
Deep dives
California General Election Participation
Nearly 5 million Californians have participated in the general election so far, which accounts for about 25% of registered voters in the state. Voting trends reveal that counties such as Sierra, Plumas, and Alpine are leading in ballot returns, although their overall registered voter numbers are low compared to larger counties. Election officials, like Melvin Briones from Marin County, encourage voters to submit their ballots early to facilitate the processing and counting of votes on Election Day. To ensure all mail-in ballots are counted, they must be postmarked by the election day deadline.
