On November 3, 2026, poll workers in Shasta County rose before dawn to keep the democratic process moving for thousands of local voters. Reporters visited multiple precincts in Redding, Round Mountain, Mountain Gate and Shasta Lake to hear firsthand accounts from the volunteers who keep the polls open.
Long‑time volunteers celebrate civic duty
At a polling place inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in Redding, precinct inspector Donna Hunter reflected on more than a decade of service. “I’m very proud to do what I do,” Hunter said, adding that voting is a privilege and that she intends to continue working at the polls “until I physically can’t.” She urged skeptics to get involved: “If you want to know how it works, go work.”
Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church hosted another seasoned volunteer, Denise Boehle, a second‑generation poll worker whose mother, now 99, served for years in Red Bluff. Boehle said the tradition of family service at the polls strengthens community bonds.
Friendships and potluck meals sustain a 15‑hour day
At the Mountain Community Center in Round Mountain, longtime friends gathered to staff the precinct. Linda Tucker, an Oak Run resident, noted this was her fourth election, inspired by a friend of 60 years who encouraged her to start volunteering. “I enjoy being a part of our whole voting process,” Tucker said. “Voting is so important. I’m glad to be a part of making it easier for people to go through the processes.”
To keep energy up during a 15‑hour shift, workers organized a potluck featuring minestrone soup, macaroni and cheese, pigs in a blanket and lemon bars.
Nonpartisan observers monitor accessibility
Renata Brillinger and Lewis Buchner, visiting Shasta as nonpartisan election observers with the California Election Protection Alliance, carried checklists to verify compliance with voter‑access requirements. The alliance is a collaborative effort of Common Cause California, the Asian Law Caucus and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. Buchner said, “I’ve been hearing so much about people not having confidence in our elections, and I wanted to see for myself on the ground what’s happening.”
Tradition meets change at Trinity Alliance Church
Precinct inspector Dennis Sweeney and his wife have staffed the same locations for nearly a decade. Sweeney expressed disappointment that Shasta’s newest elections official ended a long‑standing tradition of providing cookies for poll workers. A veteran neighbor stepped in, bringing an assortment of cookies to share throughout the day.
Technical hiccups and staffing gaps
Not all precincts ran smoothly. At the Redding Senior Center in Benton, workers discovered a crushed cable on an accessible voting machine. After contacting elections officials and waiting for assistance, the machine was finally repaired at 12:15 p.m.
At the Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship in Shasta Lake, opening was delayed by several hours because some poll workers failed to arrive. Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis was on site setting up the accessible machine while remaining staff searched for essential supplies, including the tally of surrendered ballots.
Community spirit fuels the election effort
Across Shasta County, volunteers described the experience as a chance to serve neighbors, meet familiar faces, and reinforce the tight‑knit fabric of their towns. Their dedication underscores the importance of local participation in safeguarding a free and fair election process.
Photos from the day illustrate the range of settings—from church basements to community centers—where Shasta County citizens gathered to ensure every eligible voter could cast a ballot.
Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.
