REDDING–A four-member panel of the Shasta County Republican Assembly spoke their support of Measure B which seeks Voter ID, same day results, hand counted ballots, and clean voter rolls while claiming that the “Board of Supervisors refused to enact meaningful election reform.”

The Shasta Five–as they are known–include Jim Burnett, Richard Gallardo, Laura Hobbs and Deidre Holliday and moderator Crista Munns as they reviewed some 10 scripted questions which were followed by an audience question and answer time at the Redding Library on Monday, May 11. In attendance were some 40 community members at the Measure B afternoon forum including Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis, whose candidacy for re-election was supported by the panel.

The panel stated that during the March 2024 election, Shasta County experienced over 20 different time changes many of which occurred in 60-second increments and many occurred in the middle of the night (which indicates possible remote access.) In this same election, a thumb drive containing 100 votes disappeared and did not make it into the Cast Vote Record data, in a race that was decided by just 14 votes.

1. (Will) this measure make it impossible to vote by mail?

Deidre Holliday: “No, this measure will enable us to return to absentee voting just like we did prior to COID. Only those who request a mail-in ballot will be sent a ballot.”

2. How will you confirm citizenship?

Laura Hobbs: “This measure specifies that only U.S. citizens will be eligible to vote. This is consistent with the U.S. constitution, federal and state law. How citizenship will be confirmed will be determined by the Registrar of Voters.”

3. How long will it take to get election results?

Richard Gallardo: “Election results will be known election night or shortly thereafter. Counting teams of four will count ballots at the precinct. Teams of four can count approximately 50 ballots/hour. Counting will commence after 10 ballots have been cast and shuffled and will continue until polls close. No results will be published until polls close at 8 p.m.” 

4. Will his method cost the county more money?

Jim Burnett: “No. This method will save the county money. Voting machine contracts are costly. The old method of counting employs seasonal workers for a month before the election and a month after election. This measure will enable us to conduct an election on one day. Volunteers will be utilized and offered a maximum daily stipend of $100.”

5. How does this method increase transparency?

Deidre Holliday: “Projectors will be utilized so that citizens can observe, with their own eyes, that a ballot is accurately tabulated and recorded. The old method utilizes voting machines. Nobody can see inside the machine to confirm that the ballot was accurately tabulated. The old method required an observer to take two months off of work in order to observe an election from start to finish. The new method will be completed in a day, or shortly thereafter, making it accessible to anyone who wishes to observe the entire election from start to finish.” 

6. (If) I never had a problem, why is it necessary for election reform in Shasta County?

Laura Hobbs: “As election observers we have witnessed many election laws violated, these were reported in Ladd v. Toller which is currently under appeal. In addition the Cast Vote Record data reveals that there were unnatural patterns in many local, state, and national elections conducted in Shasta County. The proposed measure will address all of these issues by ensuring complete transparency and same day results.”

7. Is this illegal?

Jim Burnett: “No, this is our constitutionally protected right to alter or reform our government according to the California Constitution Article 1, Section 2. As a charter county we also have the right under Article 11 of the California Constitution. Charter law supersedes general law when it comes to municipal affairs. Elections are defined as municipal affairs in Article 11, section 5.”

8. Will I need to get a new ID?

Deidre Holliday: “No, any government-issued ID, such as your current driver’s license will work. Passports and veteran IDs will work as well.”

9. Will it get struck down in court if it passes?

Laura Hobbs: “Measure B has already survived two court challenges. Being that we are living under a tyrannical State government that actively retaliates against local control and Shasta’s Sovereignty, we expect the State to challenge the citizens right to legislate though the initiative process. We are confident that a third legal challenge will be similarly overcome. However, even if components of the measure are struck down, we expect that the majority will remain, due to severability.”

10. Why do we need hand counting?

Richard Gallardo: “There are over 14 ways that machines can be manipulated to alter election outcomes. Smartmatic software elements were used to alter previous elections by allowing:

• Access to E-Poll books
• Error setting date and time of election of programing day
• Flash Card configuration
• Real-time Flash Card replacement
• Access and opening of ports
• Modifying the scanner configuration parameters
• Usurping machine identities to transmit data
• Obtaining access to the communication keys
• Real Time file modification by the contractor ID
• Processes that modify the results
• Running scripts through dormant DLL processes
• Modification of files through sending files from the production server (warehouse)
• Access to certified communication devices of choice
• Secure network access

(Editor’s Note: These points are published on page 182 of Stolen Elections by Ralph Pezzulo and two of the points are found in the Tina Peters Mesa Report #3. All the major voting machine companies use Smartmatic, also called Sequoia software. A press release from Shasta County Republican Assembly President Rex Ballard supporting Measure B was sent out to media on Feb. 25.)