Dont ComplyAccording to CalMatters, the news organizations CalMatters and Shasta Scout filed suit in Shasta County Superior Court, represented by the First Amendment Coalition. They allege the county violated the California Public Records Act by refusing to release a federal grand jury subpoena related to the 2026 primary. Registrar Clint Curtis, who lost his reelection bid, told media in September that he had received the subpoena and that FBI agents inspected the room where ballots were stored. The county rejected the records request, saying federal law shields the subpoena from disclosure. The lawsuit argues that law only bars federal courts from sealing their own records and does not stop the county from disclosing it. The suit notes that eight other counties released similar subpoenas. CalMatters reported that multiple county representatives did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Why it matters
The suit tests whether a county may withhold a federal subpoena sent to its election official under the state public records law. According to CalMatters, eight other counties disclosed similar subpoenas.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.