Shasta County supervisors approved a resolution placing a charter amendment before voters at the Nov. 3, 2026, general election that would change how the county fills vacancies in six elected department-head offices.[^1]
Under the proposed amendment, vacancies in the assessor-recorder, county clerk/registrar of voters, sheriff-coroner, auditor-controller, district attorney and treasurer-tax collector/public administrator offices would go to an election if the next regularly scheduled election is within 12 months of the vacancy.[^2] If no regular election falls within that window, the board would fill the opening through an open-recruitment appointment process.
The draft ordinance says that process would include a four-week recruitment period, recommendations from the director of support services on qualifications and screening criteria, public interviews, and a 4/5 board vote to extend an offer to a candidate.[^2] It also says an appointee would serve the remainder of the term and could later run for the office if otherwise eligible.
The resolution says the county auditor-controller was not directed to prepare a fiscal impact statement because the measure was not expected to have a financial impact on the county.[^1] County counsel will prepare the impartial analysis for the ballot material, according to the resolution.[^1]
If approved by voters, the ordinance would take effect after certification of the Nov. 3 election and become operative Jan. 1, 2027.[^2]
