Registrar Clint Curtis Exposes Flaws in California's System on KCNR's 'Jefferson State of Mine'
- Rex Ballard
- Dec 3, 2025
- 7 min read
Redding, CA – December 1, 2025
In a riveting hour-long broadcast that crackled with revelations, Shasta County's outspoken Registrar of Voters (ROV), Clint Curtis, joined hosts Terry Rapoza, Janet Chandler and Win Carpenter for the latest episode of Jefferson State of Mine on KCNR 96.5 FM and 1460AM. Airing live from downtown Redding on November 30, 2025, the show delved deep into the heart of California's electoral dysfunction, from suspiciously lopsided Prop 50 results to potential fraud in past Shasta primaries, immigration's drain on state resources, and the chaotic 2026 gubernatorial race. Curtis, an outspoken attorney and computer scientist with a history of whistleblowing on election security, didn't hold back, painting a picture of a system ripe for manipulation and in desperate need of overhaul.
The episode, archived on kcnr1460.com, drew a flood of calls and online buzz, amplifying calls for the 51st state movement—the State of Jefferson. As Rapoza quipped, "We need to get Jefferson done," Curtis' insights offered both a roadmap for reform and a stark warning: Without transparency, democracy in California is on life support.
Prop 50 "Should have been closer”
The conversation kicked off with Proposition 50, the controversial redistricting measure that passed statewide by 63.6% despite northern counties rejecting it by nearly 70%. Rapoza highlighted the imbalance: Urban strongholds like Santa Clara (83% Democrat) and San Mateo County drown out rural voices. "That wipes out what we could do up here in all 11 counties," he said.
Curtis, who oversaw Shasta's transparent vote counting under cameras, called the California results oddly high." "Even with independents, it should have been closer," he explained. "Independents break exactly like the local party split—70/30 in Republican areas." He felt that it should have been a much closer decision.
Regarding the ongoing lawsuit challenging Prop 50, led by attorney Mark Meuser (filed in U.S. District Court, Central District on behalf of the California republican Party and others) Curtis predicted a Supreme Court smack-down. Citing precedents like Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Louisiana redistricting cases, he noted the Court's disdain for "crossing geographical borders." California's redrawn districts, he derided, "snake hundreds of miles" to gerrymander rural areas. Comparatively, Texas' "blueberry map"—red seas dotted with blue urban enclaves—is more defensible, he added. With a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel assigned, delays loom, but Curtis is optimistic: "It could take years—or minutes, depending on their mood."
Rapoza raised the fact that Congressman Doug LaMalfa's district is shifting from 1 to 2, potentially sidelining northern influence. Curtis agreed, noting new District 1 favors Democrat Mike McGuire, one of the "strongest members" of the legislature, while District 2 pulls in liberal Jared Huffman from Marin County. "Our (Shasta County) rep comes from San Francisco," Curtis lamented.
Gubernatorial Chaos: Jungle Primary Pitfalls and Jurisdiction Blind Spots
With 14-15 republican candidates vying for governor in 2026, Curtis warned of a Republican bloodbath in California's top two jungle primary system. In California, only the top two vote getters move on. With 15 republican candidates, Curtis claimed, "They'll split the vote 15 ways and go home," he said. Curtis expressed that the Republicans need to get together and have what he called a “mini-primary” and winnow the field. When asked about top contenders Curtis pointed out Sheriff Chad Bianco ("the sheriff”) and Katie Porter, the Democrat front runner. However, Curtis pointed out that Porter’s primary topic at a recent event was immigration. Curtis pointed out that the Governor has no jurisdiction over that issue. "Governors have nothing to do with immigration," Curtis stressed, mocking her focus on it. "If they don't understand jurisdiction, they shouldn't run."
Immigration: A State Budget Black Hole Governors Can't Plug
The discussion pivoted to California's sanctuary policies, with Chandler decrying billions in state funds for "illegal aliens" amid rising crime. Curtis clarified: "Governors can't legislate immigration—it's federal." States like Arizona and Texas tried and failed; Texas merely detains and hands off to ICE. He detailed the absurdity: Asylum seekers fly to Canada, walk across unguarded northern borders into New York, then vanish.
Economic incentives drive the surge, Curtis said. "Mexico offers asylum, but no free stuff." Legal waits for admission ballooned from two years to 22 for family sponsorships, clogged by coached asylum claims. "They say, 'I have to claim this'—but no proof." Safety suffers too: Unvetted migrants fuel robberies and murders.
Curtis slammed state spending: "Most is your (own) pocket money, not federal." Biden funneled extras, but Republicans vow cuts. Democrats? "Porter says take care of everybody—noble, but stupid. Resources are limited."
Rapoza invoked Title 8 USC §1324 (felony harboring) and Texas's "invasion" claim under Article 1, Section 10. Curtis praised Trump's prosecutions of judges: "They're not above the law." Solution? Mandatory E-Verify with jail for employers—Reagan's unheeded idea.
Shasta's Election Revolution: Audits, Reforms, and a New Building
Curtis's tenure has transformed Shasta into a transparency beacon. He plans a DOJ-invited audit of the 2024 primary, citing "huge gaps" in early votes—unusual for flat trends. Curtis also pointed out that ballots were stored in unsecured bins, there were ghost keycard logs, and broken seals scream tampering potential. "Perfect for front-loading," he said.
Duplicated ballots? The manner in which this was done show patterns that match fraud. Curtis pointed out that election laws require that duplicated ballots be “married” to the originals and that this was not done. Chandler pointed out the 2023's 23 time-log anomalies. Curtis explained that the timing suggest some sort of automated glitches within the software. He called it "suspicious” but was doubtful of being able to prove anything specific. There was much discussion of other anomalies and Curtis indicated that he is referring it to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Win Carpenter pointed out that we are nearing the 22-month mark when the ballots in question are to be destroyed. Curtis was asked if he could preserve the ballots. Curtis explained that he cannot, and that the ballots can only be retained pursuant to a court order. He has advised the Board of Supervisors and is hoping that the DOJ will step in to do a review. Rapoza pointed out that the prior Registrar proceeded to destroy ballots even though the Board directed her not to do so. Curtis pointed out that without a court order the ballots had to be destroyed.
Slow Walking by ROV Staff
The question was raised that there were reports of ROV staff slow walking things. Curtis explained that there certainly was what he called “Staff resistance” that plagued the process. However, he indicated that because he didn’t know at what pace they worked before, it could be that they were simply slower than he expected or was accustomed to seeing at other locations. He did explain that there seems to be a culture within the staff that resists training others. He pointed out an example, where he hired temporary staff to speed up a process but found that the staff was reluctant to train the temporary workers and that they were highly underutilized. He also pointed to an example where there is currently only a single ROV employee trained on how to use the Agilis ballot sorting machine and that when that individual had to take some time off to deal with some personal appointments, several processes were at a near dead stop because there was no one else in the department able to run that piece of equipment that is at the front end of the process. Curtis pointed out that these things all need to be remedied.
Future plans
Curtis explained that a new building/facility with double the space is needed. This would provide more room to expand the camera monitored units to facilitate same day vote counting. Additionally, more space is needed for in-house printing—this could yield savings of $100-200K per election. Envelope holes? They expose votes; Curtis advocates opaque sleeves like Montana's.
Role of Joanna Francescut:
Rapoza turned the discussion toward the role that Joanna Francescut, now a Trinity County advisor, played in all the issues that Curtis indicated are being referred to the DOJ. Rapoza pointed out that she was second-in-command. Curtis indicated that she de facto was first-in-command. Curtis said the prior appointed ROV, Tom Toller didn’t do much. “I can understand why Toller folded early”, going on to say that the staff resistance is difficult to overcome. Any time you want to make any sort of change they come at you indicating that it is impossible. Curtis used the example of his wanting to switch to a random selection process of using the ball draw method. He pointed out that everyone indicated that it would be too time consuming and it couldn’t be done. Curtis also pointed out that San Diego County, one of the largest jurisdictions in the state, used the ball draw method. Rapoza and Jefferson State of Mine indicated that they would offer equal time to Joanna and Curtis and invited them to a debate, "Anytime."
Secretary of State Oversight
Shasta's model of live-streamed counting faced guff from state officials but proved unassailable. "They couldn't shut us down," Curtis boasted. They complained about the position of only one camera. It was a camera that was placed in its location by the prior regime and hadn’t moved. They also complained about the positioning of observers being 3 ft. away from election workers. County attorneys pointed out that the State has no guidelines on this matter and that election regulations leave the positioning of observers up to the discretion of the ROV. Curtis indicated that State oversight is “minimal”. "ROV discretion rules—Secretary of State nitpicks, nothing." He pointed out that their role is to oversee major compliance issues.
Community Backlash: Parade Snub and Civil Rights Claims
Curtis revealed county brass denied his desire to have the ROV office participate in the Christmas parade. Their entry would be very simple; some flags to hand out, Christmas lights, banners/skirting to go around a float —for “$150”. One interviewer asked if it may have been denied because he was running for election to secure his current position. Curtis pointed out that the float was for the office and if that was the case, why do they let other elected offices participate in the parade such as the County Sheriff. Curtis also pointed out that his predecessor attended "Gay Days" for a decade.
Undeterred, Curtis self-funds many things, Nativity scene and all. He's also bell-ringing for the Salvation Army.
Wrap-up:
The episode of “Jefferson State of Mine” wound down at this point with sincere expressions of gratitude to Clint Curtis for his time and candor. Terry Rapoza also thanked his co-hosts, Janet Chandler and Win Carpenter.
As California hurtles toward 2026, Curtis' blueprint for open and transparent elections begs for broader implementation nationwide. Will the DOJ probe the issues that Curtis has raised? Will Prop 50 fall as Curtis predicts? Stay tuned into Jefferson State of Mine.
Listen to the interview in its entirety by following this link:
