Case Summary
LWVC filed an amicus brief supporting the California Attorney General’s lawsuit against Shasta County’s Measure B, which imposed several cutbacks to voting access contradicting California state law. Measure B was approved by Shasta County voters in the June 2026 primary election and if allowed to take effect, would eliminate early voting, require hand counting of ballots, impose voter ID requirements and restrict voting by mail ballots. After its passage, the Attorney General of California sued, arguing it violated state election law.
In the June 2026 primary election, after several legal challenges by local citizens, voters in Shasta County, California enacted Measure B, a law which purported to make massive changes to elections in the county. Under Measure B, elections would be held on one day, early voting would be eliminated, the county would allow only infirm, military and overseas citizens to vote using mail ballots, require photo ID to vote on election day, and require hand counting of ballots at precincts.
Current California state law provides all registered voters a mail ballot, provides in person early voting several days before Election Day in all counties, does not require photo ID to vote in person and does not rely on hand counting for tabulation of ballots.
On June 30, 2026, the California Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Shasta County, seeking an injunction blocking Measure B from taking effect. The Attorney General’s office argued that Measure B was preempted by state law and violated the state constitution, as counties lacked authority over voter registration and elections, and could not enact laws that would be inconsistent with or obstruct regulations of elections statewide.
On July 10, 2026, the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (“LWVC-EF”), League of Women Voters of Shasta County (“LWV of Shasta County”), Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Asian Law Caucus, and Disability Rights California filed an amicus brief supporting the attorney general’s lawsuit. The brief pointed out that Measure B’s provisions would disproportionately hurt voter participation among low-income voters, voters of color, and voters with disabilities, along with seniors. LWVC-EF and its co-amici also pointed out that Measure B directly violated several state election statutes and intruded upon the legislature’s power to ensure free elections.
On August 7, 2026, the superior court issued a preliminary injunction, forbidding Measure B from being implemented for the November 2026 election and future elections until the case was fully resolved.
Litigation is ongoing.
LWV Timeline
Measure B is passed
In a June election, the voters of Shasta County approve Measure B, which would severely curtail early and mail voting and require a photo ID to vote.
California Attorney General sues Shasta County
The Attorney General of California files a state court lawsuit, arguing that Measure B violates several state laws and is illegal under the state constitution.
LWVC files amicus brief
LWVC and its co-amici file an amicus brief supporting the challenge to Measure B. The brief points out the racist history of many of its provisions, and their negative effect on the voting rights of several vulnerable groups in society.
Trial court issues preliminary injunction
The trial court issues a preliminary injunction, forbidding the use of Measure B in the November 2026 election and subsequent elections until the case is fully resolved.