Joanna Francescut has emerged as the victor in the race for Shasta County’s top elections official, securing an almost 58% majority. With ballots processed, but results still unofficial, Francescut has been chosen to become Shasta’s next Registrar of Voters, beating current ROV Clint Curtis by about 8,000 votes.

Challenges Ahead

Francescut’s campaign promise to comply with all California election laws will be complicated by the passage of Measure B, a local ballot initiative that was approved by voters on June 2. Implementing the measure will require changes to Shasta’s election procedures, many of which appear to violate current state regulations. Measure B calls for the Shasta County Elections office to require ID to vote, restrict most voting by mail, and implement a one-day election along with a full hand-count of ballots at the precincts.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber have sued Shasta in hopes of stopping the implementation of Measure B. Francescut said she will administer elections in a manner that follows all federal, state, and local laws. She will need to fully analyze the experimental procedures implemented by Curtis before making decisions about what she’ll retain and what she’ll change.

New Era at the Election’s Office

Francescut’s 17 years of experience is likely to bring a level of stability to the Shasta Elections Office, which has seen three ROVs hold office in as many years. She indicated that she will set the tone for a new era at the election’s office, a calmer one. “Election administration isn’t as simple as what it seems,” she said, “but it shouldn’t be on the news every single day.”

Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.