Shasta County elections registrar Clint Curtis has, for a second time this month, refused to shred the 2024 election ballots by the legally‑required deadline of September 5, 2025. Curtis says the ballots were mixed with other election records that are the subject of a public‑records request, and he wants federal officials to review the materials before they are destroyed.

County leadership issues rebuke

Deputy County CEO Stewart Buettell issued a press release condemning Curtis’s action, noting that state law allows retention of election materials only with a court order – which has not been issued. “The County remains steadfast in its expectation that all department heads comply with federal and state law, uphold their constitutional duties, and maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct in public service,” Buettell wrote.

State officials press for compliance

The California Secretary of State’s office sent Curtis a formal notice at 2:15 p.m. on October 1, reminding him that the deadline had passed and demanding that the ballots be shredded immediately. The letter states, “If you are being advised by someone to retain the materials in violation of state and federal law, please notify me immediately. Otherwise, it is past the deadline and you must comply.” Curtis reportedly replied that he intends to follow the state’s direction.

Legal consequences outlined

California law provides that failure to destroy election materials on time can result in a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. No court order has been filed to exempt Curtis from the shredding requirement.

County board response

Shasta County Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Kelstrom said the board does not condone Curtis’s delay but does not plan an emergency meeting, believing any prosecution would fall under state jurisdiction. “We have no plans as of right now for an emergency board meeting,” Kelstrom said.

Supervisor Matt Plummer offered a different view, recalling County Counsel Joseph Larmour’s earlier comment that the board could pursue legal action to compel compliance. “Basically, I don’t think there’s any good reason not to follow the law,” Plummer said. “If the board has an option to compel Curtis through the courts, then I think that’s something we should consider.”

Election staff perspective

Shasta County elections staffer Ron Plumb explained that when the ballot boxes were opened for the shredding company, election records mixed in with the ballots were identified as part of a public‑records request. Plumb, also a leader in the New California State movement, described the September 5 deadline as “not a real strict date,” but affirmed that Curtis wants to follow the law while awaiting guidance from the Secretary of State.

Next steps

State and county officials are monitoring the situation. If Curtis does not shred the ballots within a reasonable timeframe, the county may seek a court order or refer the matter to the Attorney General’s Office for enforcement. The story remains developing.

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