Election results: Shasta voters decide on supervisor term limits, charter county measures

Shasta voters on Tuesday decided on a pair of measures introduced by members of the county Board of Supervisors who are on the wing that is farthest to the right.

Measure C asks voters whether to limit county supervisors to two four-year terms. Measure D asks voters whether to make Shasta a charter county, which proponents say gives local government control.

There are two types of counties in California, general law and charter. "Counties may adopt, amend or repeal a charter but a charter does not give county officials extra authority over local regulations, revenue-raising abilities, budgetary decisions or intergovernmental relations," according to California State Association of Counties.

11:42 p.m.: Rising support for Measure C, while Measure D remains in a dead heat

Support for Measure C grew slightly, to 74.22%, in the second batch of unofficial results released by Shasta County voting officials just before midnight on Tuesday. Measure C seeks to establish term limits for members of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors.Yes votes pulled slightly ahead for Measure D, which asks voters whether Shasta should be a charter county. Preliminary results show yes votes totaled 50.51%, while no votes were 49.49%.

The latest results include 30 of the county's 68 precincts, according to the Shasta County officials.

Term limits getting Shasta voter approval; results close in charter county vote

Early results show voters are in support of Measure C, which would establish term limits for Shasta County supervisors. Preliminary results show voters approving Measure C with 73.04% of the vote, while 26.96% cast no votes against the measure.Results so far do not include any precincts reporting, but reflect early voting results.Results are close for Measure D, which asks voters whether Shasta should be a charter county. Early results show 52.23% of voters cast votes against the measure, while 47.77% voted yes.

Original story

Shasta voters decide on supervisor term limits, charter county measures

Measures C and D on Tuesday's ballot have the potential to change the direction of Shasta County.

Measure D asks voters whether Shasta should be a charter county. Measure C would establish term limits for Shasta County supervisors.

Both measures are endorsed by the far-right majority on the board of supervisors.

The charter county question has gotten more attention — so much so that it was among the eight questions candidates were asked out of about 40 the audience submitted during the Jan. 31 League of Women Voters forum.

Proponents contend that making Shasta a charter county would bring more local control to the county and help the county get from under the boot of Sacramento and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Dig deeper: 2024 primary: Shasta recall, supervisor races, charter county measure, other California races

Detractors worry that more local control means more power for a far-right majority that they argue is spending too much time on issues that do not affect residents — including passing a Second Amendment resolution and allowing licensed concealed carry weapon users to bring guns into county buildings — and scant time on issues like homelessness and public safety.

Measure C: Term limits

Campaigning for his seat in 2022, District 5 Supervisor Chris Kelstrom made term limits for supervisors one of his priorities.

Once elected, Kelstrom's proposal was put on a supervisors' agenda and a majority of the board voted to put it on the ballot.

Kelstrom has said among his reasons for term limits is he wants to get rid of career politicians.

Kelstrom, and supervisors Kevin Crye, Patrick Jones and Tim Garman have signed the argument for Measure C in the voter information guide. District 3 Supervisor Mary Rickert is opposed to term limits.

Proponents argue that term limits would motivate supervisors to quickly get familiar with the issues affecting residents in the county and in their district and that would encourage supervisors to work faster to get things done.

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Rickert and opponents of Measure C counter that limiting a supervisor to two terms could take away some of the institutional wisdom the county sorely needs.

If passed, Measure C would take effect for supervisors starting their term after Jan. 1, 2025.

Measure D: Charter county

District 1 Supervisor Crye, who is fighting an attempted recall that also is on Tuesday's ballot, has lobbied for Shasta to become a charter county.

Supervisors voted 3-2 to put Measure D on the ballot. Crye, Jones and Kelstrom voted yes. Garman and Rickert voted no.

In endorsing the concept of making Shasta a charter county, Crye said he proposed the idea because he is concerned that if he is recalled, Gov. Gavin Newsom would appoint his replacement.

But it's far from certain that Newsom would appoint Crye’s successor, should Crye be recalled.

Read more: Shasta County employees file complaints against supervisors over the past 2 years. Why?

Garman and Rickert have suggested the measure be further studied and the public be brought into the conversation before it is put on a ballot.

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: Election results: Shasta County Measures C & D updates