Judge Benjamin L. Hanna Dismisses Lawsuit – Measure B Will Remain on June 2, 2026 Ballot REDDING, Calif. – March 26, 2026 – In his written ruling issued today, Judge Hanna found that Katske’s petition failed to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and that pre-election judicial review of a qualified initiative is not appropriate. The dismissal clears the way for Measure B to remain on the June 2, 2026, ballot as certified by the Registrar of Voters. Kari Chi

In a decisive written ruling issued today, Shasta County Superior Court Judge Benjamin L. Hanna dismissed Jennifer Katske’s petition seeking to block the “Shasta County Voter ID, Hand-Counted Ballots, and Absentee Voting Limits Initiative” from the June 2, 2026, ballot. The court sustained a demurrer filed by the measure’s proponents (Intervenors), finding that Katske’s First Amended Verified Petition for Writ of Mandate failed to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause

In a packed courtroom, Shasta County Superior Court Judge Benjamin Hanna heard arguments from petitioner Jennifer Katske, who is representing herself in pro per. Katske seeks a writ of mandate to prevent Measure B—a 14-point election integrity initiative—from appearing on the June 2, 2026, ballot. The judge stated that he would issue a written ruling by March 27, 2026.

When it comes to voting, the rules and requirements can sometimes feel like a maze. There are three key proposals dominating the news for Shasta County, California and the Nation that have sparked discussion and raised questions: Shasta County’s local Measure B on the June 2, 2026 ballot, the statewide constitutional amendment (the California Voter ID & Citizenship Verification Initiative) expected on the November 2026 ballot, and The Federal Save America Act 

Court Victory: Proponents Granted Intervention, TRO Modified, Merits Hearing Advanced – Preparations for Measure B on June Ballot Can Proceed   Yesterday, March 5, 2026, Shasta County Superior Court Judge Benjamin L. Hanna issued rulings that represent a meaningful step forward for the more than 10,000 Shasta County citizens who signed the petition to qualify the Election Integrity Initiative—now designated as Measure B—on the June 2, 2026 ballot.    In a morning ex parte hea

After hearing arguments from Attorney Haberbush and Petitioner Katzke, and reviewing briefs and a declaration from the ROV detailing the ballot printing timeline, Judge Hanna modified the TRO. The modified order now permits the County and ROV to continue preparations to place Measure B (the Election Integrity Initiative) on the ballot. Additionally, the judge advanced the hearing on the merits of the petition to Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Over 10,000 Shasta County citizens signed the petition to qualify Measure B for the ballot. Now they—and all concerned residents—have the opportunity to show up, submit a speaker card early, and speak up to defend direct democracy against preemptive legal challenges. This is a rare and valuable window for citizens to directly urge the Board to take action in defense of a voter-qualified measure. With the April 10 court hearing looming, your voice could influence whether the

In a fiery hallway press conference following a Shasta County court hearing on February 26, 2026, Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis lambasted County Counsel Joseph Larimer for what he called unethical conduct and a failure to defend the Voter ID and Hand-Counted Ballots initiative (Measure B). The judge granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) in the Jane Doe lawsuit against Curtis and the Board of Supervisors, blocking the measure from the June ballot pending further revie

Plaintiff Jane Doe (pro se, via phone) sought a TRO to block the Voter ID/hand-count/absentee-limits initiative (Measure B) from the June 2 ballot, arguing preemption by state Elections Code (citing Huntington Beach precedent). The judge partially denied anonymity (ordered name disclosure in 5 days but protected address/phone/employment). He declined to allow late-filed intervenor attorney Alexander Haberbush to participate today, deferring that issue. County Counsel stated n

The Shasta County Republican Assembly at a recent meeting voted to endorse the Election Transparency and Security Reform initiative, also referred to as Measure B, for the June 2, 2026 ballot.

In Shasta County, California, more than 10,000 flesh-and-blood Americans—not faceless bureaucrats, not shadowy special interests, but neighbors, veterans, parents, and taxpayers—did something extraordinary. They gathered 10,110 signatures, far exceeding the required threshold, and lawfully placed Measure B on the June 2, 2026 ballot.

Shasta County residents gathered in front of the Shasta County Courthouse on Court Street at 11 a.m. today to protest an anonymous lawsuit seeking to remove Measure B—the Voter ID, Hand-Counted Ballots, and Absentee Voting Limits Initiative—from the June 2, 2026 primary ballot. Waving American flags and holding handmade signs, protesters voiced strong support for the citizen-led charter amendment, which garnered over 10,000 signatures last year.