Shasta County has emerged as a notable epicenter for the election-denial movement, raising eyebrows when a well-respected election clerk was passed over for a crucial position. This situation is part of an ongoing series examining the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Shasta County, a rural area in Northern California, home to approximately 180,000 residents and increasingly aligned with far-right politics.
Earlier this year, when the county sought a new official to oversee its elections, Joanna Francescut quickly became the favorite. With over 16 years of experience as the assistant elections clerk and registrar of voters, she had ably managed the election office during her boss’s absence and garnered endorsements from both election officials and key local Republican figures.
However, the ultra-conservative majority on the Shasta County Board of Supervisors opted for Tom Toller, a former prosecutor without any prior elections experience, to head the elections office. Toller promised to reform the office culture and bolster public trust, claiming he would “clean up” the voter rolls.
This decision would typically raise eyebrows in most California counties, yet Shasta County has increasingly positioned itself as a stronghold for far-right ideology and skepticism regarding the 2020 election results, which they contend favored Donald Trump over Joe Biden. Over the past year, board members have openly questioned the integrity of the local elections office and have even aimed to abolish voting machines altogether.
Residents are voicing their concerns amid this shift. “People are worried about it,” said Robert Sid, a conservative Shasta County resident who backed Francescut. “If there was any hint of scandal at the office, I’d be the first one there. But there’s never been anything.”
While Toller declined to interview with the Guardian due to commitments related to early voting preparations, the ongoing controversy surrounding the elections office highlights a troubling trend: experts warn that an increasing number of U.S. election officials are resigning due to harassment and threats, a situation that escalated after the 2020 election. This has resulted in less experienced administrators taking the helm.
For 20 years, Cathy Darling Allen oversaw elections in Shasta County, one of the few Democrats in a predominantly Republican area. However, her role drastically changed after 2020 as election denialism gained traction locally, exposing her office to scrutiny, harassment, and even threats. Notably, a camera was placed outside her office on the night of a local election in June 2022.
Despite being re-elected with about 70% of the vote, Allen faced ongoing hostility from the right-wing majority on the board, which sought to overhaul the county’s election processes. In early 2023, the board terminated its contract with Dominion Voting Systems—a company targeted by Trump and his followers—without securing a replacement. They also tried to implement a costly hand-counting method, which the state ultimately prohibited.
Even amid these challenges, Allen remained dedicated to upholding election law, winning the respect of her constituents. However, her prominence made her a target for the local far-right. In February, she surprised many by announcing her retirement, citing a heart failure diagnosis that required her to reduce stress—an increasingly difficult task given the political climate.
Francescut, as Allen’s deputy, appeared to be the logical choice for taking her place, given her extensive election management experience. She had been preparing for this role for years and had recently managed an election while Allen stepped back.
Support for Francescut included backing from her former boss, election clerks from adjacent counties, and even a conservative former supervisor. However, during the board’s public interviews, Francescut faced a decidedly unfavorable atmosphere. Supervisors challenged her competence and attempted to provoke her into criticizing her predecessor, leaving many in the audience feeling the fix was in. “The fix is in,” one woman shouted from the crowd.
Despite the arduous interview process, Francescut emphasized her commitment to leadership and hard work in a conversation with the Guardian. “I prepared myself as best as possible to secure the job I’ve been striving for all these years,” she shared. “Even if this isn’t the right time right now, I have community support behind me.”
In contrast, Toller’s interview seemed primarily focused on his agenda for reform within the elections office, suggesting he might contest state regulations. Another candidate, Curtis, has advocated for hand-counting votes and positioned himself alongside known election conspiracy theorists.
Although Toller’s appointment represented a significant win for critics of the elections office, the year has yielded few successes for them overall. While one board member was voted out by significant margins, legal challenges against the office have repeatedly faltered due to insufficient evidence.
As Toller prepares to lead, the recent proposals from the local elections commission—including reducing absentee ballots and reverting to a single day of voting—signal ongoing discontent. Toller dismissed these proposals, citing compliance with state law, illustrating the complexities of his new role.
With the presidential election approaching, the elections office faces considerable challenges amid community turmoil and division. In light of a staff exodus, Francescut has committed to remaining in her position through November to aid Toller during his transition.
“In the long run, ensuring that the November election is executed properly and that voters can participate is my top priority,” she stated. “It’s far more significant than my individual ambitions.”
