Chris Kelstrom and the Ideological Capture of Shasta County

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Supervisor Chris Kelstrom: Voting Patterns and Governance Context

Chris Kelstrom, the District 5 representative on the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, has played a pivotal role in several major policy decisions that have significantly impacted county governance. His voting record, participation in board appointments, and alignment with other supervisors on key issues have been closely followed by constituents and the media. While no credible sources indicate a direct affiliation between Kelstrom and militia organizations or the Red, White & Blueprint movement, his public service has intersected with regional political shifts, prompting ongoing public examination and discussion.

1. Hand-Count Initiative and Election System Changes

In March 2023, the Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 to end Shasta County’s contract with Dominion Voting Systems and pursue a fully manual ballot-counting process, with Supervisors Kevin Crye, Patrick Jones, and Kelstrom in favor (Mynspr, 2023). This decision initiated efforts to design a new local election process (Shasta County, n.d.).

Subsequently, the California Legislature enacted a law in September 2023 limiting the circumstances under which counties may hand-count ballots, a measure widely understood to be responsive to Shasta County’s plans (AP, 2023). Various election experts and observers expressed concerns about the feasibility, cost, and accuracy, emphasizing the operational challenges of conducting county-wide manual counting (Huseman, 2024).

During early 2024 deliberations, local election advocates again promoted complete hand counting, citing concerns about transparency and technology (Cohen, 2024). These developments reflected a period of heightened community debate around ballot-counting methods and election security (Democracy Docket, 2024).

2. Appointments to Election Leadership Roles

In June 2024, by a 3–2 vote, the Board appointed former prosecutor Toller as Registrar of Voters. Supporters cited his legal background and advocacy for election transparency, while critics emphasized the importance of direct election administration experience for the position (AP, 2024).

In 2025, the Board selected Clint Curtis, an attorney from Florida with a history of public commentary on election transparency issues, as Registrar of Voters (Sosa & LaFever, 2025). Curtis promoted livestreaming and oversight measures, while critics questioned his lack of prior administrative experience in county elections offices (Sosa & LaFever, 2025). Public meetings around the appointment were highly attended and at times contentious (SFGATE, 2025).

Some residents viewed these decisions as efforts to prioritize election transparency concerns, while others expressed concern about the impact of leadership changes on continuity and institutional expertise.

3. Local Political Dynamics and Community Narratives

Shasta County has become a focal point of national debate regarding election administration and public trust in voting systems (Huseman, 2024). Public comment periods have included claims regarding election technology, internet connectivity, and system transparency, reflecting elevated civic engagement and polarized perspectives (Cohen, 2024; Huseman, 2024).

National outlets have noted that these shifts have occurred during a period when Shasta County is also addressing homelessness, behavioral health, and other local priorities (Anguiano, 2024). Some analysts have framed the county’s focus on election infrastructure as part of a broader national trend in which local debates mirror national political narratives.

While there is no documented evidence that Kelstrom belongs to militia groups or to Red, White & Blueprint, his electoral rise occurred in the same political wave that the Red, White & Blueprint media effort helped publicize in 2022 (Hosseini, 2025). That project aimed to showcase Shasta County’s political realignment as a model for national audiences (Hosseini, 2025).

4. Identified Impacts and Ongoing Considerations

The effort to transition away from voting machines and toward manual counting has necessitated significant resource planning and raised questions about potential fiscal and operational impacts. Analysts and observers have raised concerns about budget uncertainty, administrative capacity, and litigation exposure (Huseman, 2024).

Changes in election leadership have also prompted discussion about institutional continuity. Supporters of the Board’s decisions highlight a commitment to transparency reforms, while critics have expressed concern about the loss of long-tenured staff and the learning curve for new administrators (SFGATE, 2025).

These dynamics contribute to ongoing public debate regarding administrative stability and public confidence in county systems.

5. Summary

Supervisor Kelstrom’s tenure has coincided with a period of significant political change in Shasta County. His votes and public actions have supported efforts to reshape election procedures and leadership, sparking both support and opposition within the community. While interpretations differ among political and civic groups, the effects of these decisions continue to unfold and remain matters of active discussion at the local and statewide levels.

Civic Context

As with all elected officials, ongoing public engagement, transparent communication, and continued oversight are essential components of healthy democratic governance. Shasta County residents and leaders alike are pworking together to shapethe future of the county’s elections, institutions, and community priorities.

Anguiano, D. (2024, October 8). Extremist politics divided this conservative California community. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/08/shasta-county-elections-redding-far-right-voting-covid

Associated Press. (2023, September 8). California lawmakers vote to limit when local election officials can count ballots by hand. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/6cfaa5678c09bf2454a63df7b65bac07

Associated Press. (2024, June 21). California county that tried to hand-count ballots picks new registrar. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/shasta-county-elections-hand-counting-ballots-2a41054c45a56666183f5c0b6d33772f

Cohen, M. (2024, February 28). Shasta County, California wants to hand count votes again. Democracy Docket. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/shasta-county-california-wants-to-hand-count-votes-again/

Democracy Docket. (2024, February 28). Shasta County, California wants to hand count votes again. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/shasta-county-california-wants-to-hand-count-votes-again/

Huseman, J. (2024, June 25). How election conspiracy theories tore apart this remote Northern California county. CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/politics/2024/06/shasta-county-election-administration/

Hosseini, R. (2025, January 19). One of California’s original counties may hold clues as to where America is headed. San Francisco Chronicle. https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/shasta-county-trump-maga-19992063.php

Mynspr. (2023, March 29). Shasta County Board of Supervisors votes to hand-tally ballots. My North State Public Radio. https://www.mynspr.org/news/2023-03-29/shasta-county-board-of-supervisors-votes-to-hand-tally-ballots-in-future-elections

Sosa, A.  (2025, May). Shasta County meeting descends into profanities over new elections official. SFGATE. https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/shasta-county-protests-elections-official-20327505.php

Sosa, A., & LaFever, M. (2025, August 21). Divided Shasta County battles over Clint Curtis’ push to put elections on camera. SFGATE. https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/shasta-county-livestream-elections-20828076.php

Shasta County. (n.d.). Board of Supervisors moves forward with pursuit of fully manual ballot counting. [Public statement]. https://www.shastacounty.gov/community/page/board-supervisors-moves-forward-pursuit-fully-manual-ballot-counting