A conservative California county's effort to limit mail-in voting was struck down by a state court on June 10, 2026. The court ruled that the county's ordinance, which sought to require in-person voting for most elections, violated state law.
The case originated in Shasta County, where the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance in 2024 to eliminate mail-in ballots for local elections. The county argued that mail-in voting was prone to fraud, but provided no evidence of widespread issues.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber praised the ruling, stating it 'protects the fundamental right to vote for all Californians.' The decision affirms that state law mandates mail-in ballots be available to all registered voters.
Legal experts note that this ruling aligns with previous court decisions upholding California's vote-by-mail system, which was expanded permanently in 2021. The county has not indicated whether it will appeal.
