California Election Worker Under Investigation After Ballot Handling Concerns Surface

A California election worker is under investigation after allegedly accessing secured election materials and making copies of records during the vote-counting process in Shasta County.

County officials disclosed the incident Tuesday, saying the matter was discovered during a routine post-election reconciliation process following the June election.

According to a statement from county officials, election workers identified discrepancies that suggested a small number of additional ballots may have been distributed before Election Day by a single employee.

“During a reconciliation of the early vote, which is a standard process following an election, discrepancies were found, suggesting that a small number of additional ballots may have been handed out to voters prior to election day by one employee,” the county said.

The incident reportedly occurred at the Shasta County Elections Department in Redding on June 4.

Officials said election workers were reviewing records when they paused their work and secured documents and election materials inside a locked cabinet. While those employees were away, another staff member allegedly accessed the cabinet, removed documents, made copies, and provided them to Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis before the materials were later secured elsewhere.

County officials emphasized that no original ballots or election materials left the Elections Department building.

“At no time did original ballots, or election materials leave the Elections Department at 1643 Market Street,” officials stated.

However, county leaders acknowledged that copied records may have contained sensitive voter information, including names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, signatures and explanations submitted by voters requesting replacement ballots.

Officials said additional details were provided to state authorities but were withheld from public release to protect individuals involved in the matter.

Because election-related investigations fall under state authority, Shasta County said it has referred the matter to California Secretary of State officials for review and will not pursue legal action independently while that investigation is underway.

The case comes amid ongoing scrutiny of California’s election system and vote-counting procedures. Republican officials, including President Trump, have repeatedly criticized the state’s lengthy ballot-counting process and raised concerns about election security.

California law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within the legally prescribed window, and county election officials have several weeks to complete verification procedures and certify results.

State officials have not announced any findings related to the Shasta County investigation, and no criminal charges have been filed.

Election results from the June contest are scheduled to be certified on June 26 as the investigation continues.