At last, the news that Shasta County voters and candidates have awaited for nearly a month is here: The county’s election results are certified, beating the state’s Dec. 5 deadline by one day.
The official proclamation came not from the Elections Office, but via the “Shasta Spotlight” county newsletter in an email sent to media at 5:05 p.m. — after work hours — today:
“Election Certified: We are pleased to announce that the results of the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election have been officially certified.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our elections staff, poll workers, and volunteers for their dedication and hard work throughout this election season. Your commitment ensures a smooth and transparent process every step of the way.
Thank you Shasta County voters for showing up to make your voices heard. Your participation helps shape the future of our community.
If you have questions, our Elections Office is here to help! Email: elections@shastacounty.gov. Call: 530-225-5730.”
The newsletter included a link to view the results.
Additional Shasta Spotlight news items that followed the election certification announcement featured a kids winter coat giveaway, an update on Intermountain Road drainage repairs, and a pitch about available Shasta County job openings.
No formal announcement came from the Elections Office. Rather, a brief email was sent to media 18 minutes after midnight today from Shasta County Elections Department ROV Thomas Toller.
This correspondence looked similar to many other emails sent to media since the Nov. 5, 2024 Presidential Election, with the exception that if anything, it was shorter than most.
News Release: Official Results Updated. Tom Toller, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters.
Tom Toller, Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters wishes to inform the public and the media the election results were updated on our website. Please use this link to view the official results of the Presidential General Election.
Although the email was sent at 12:18 a.m. today, the website link reported that the final run time was 9:12 p.m. on Dec. 3.
That was that, without any fanfare from the Elections Office. However, the four-word confirmation of the election’s final status was right there in gray and white for all to see in the upper left-hand corner of the county’s election results website: Final Official Results Report.
Final. Finally.
Key race results
Other crucial information revealed on the Elections Office final report included data, such as Shasta County’s 77.98 percent voter turnout, with 90,162 votes cast from Shasta County’s 115,626 registered voters.
For comparison, 85 percent of Shasta County’s registered voters voted in the 2020 presidential election.
• In the State’s 1st Assembly District, Tenessa Audette lost to Heather Hadwick, 47.48 percent to Hadwick’s 52.52 percent.
• In Trustee Area 2 of the Shasta County Board of Education’s Governing Board, the two winners were Jackie LaBarbera (24.92 percent) and Jessica French (19.08 percent).
• In Gateway Unified School District’s Trustee Area 3 for the Governing Board Member race, Bobbie Simpson defeated incumbent Elias Haynes, 56.94 percent to 43.06 percent.
• In the Shasta County District 3 Board of Supervisor contest, Corkey Harmon bested incumbent Mary Rickert, 54.95 percent to 45.05 percent.
• In the two Redding City Council full-term openings, Paul Dhanuka (39.51 percent) and Mike Littau (20.11 percent) beat out challengers Ian Hill, Joshua Johnson and Dave Backues.
• Returning Redding City Council member Erin Resner won the Redding City Council’s single short-term opening, with 47.49 percent, beating incumbent councilman Mark Mezzano (43.86) and newcomer challenger Anthony Spengler (8.65 percent).
• Two measures promoted by Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye both failed, with 50.22 percent of Shasta County voters casting no votes for Measure P, and 58.52 percent of Shasta County voters rejecting Measure Q.
Click on the Elections Office website for the full report.
