Ten Special Districts to Hold Elections This November

Candidate filing period opens July 14 for fire protection, sanitary, and water districts across Siskiyou County

Ten special districts throughout Siskiyou County will hold elections on November 4, 2025, offering residents opportunities to serve their communities as directors on local fire protection, sanitary, and water district boards.

County Clerk-Registrar of Voters Laura Bynum announced that the candidate filing period begins Monday, July 14, 2025, and runs through August 8, 2025. Prospective candidates can obtain the necessary paperwork from the Siskiyou County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours.

“These special district elections are crucial for maintaining essential services in our communities,” said Bynum. “We encourage qualified residents to consider running for these important positions.”

Districts Seeking Directors

Six fire protection districts will elect new leadership: Copco Lake Fire Protection District needs five directors (three full-term, two short-term), Dunsmuir Fire Protection District seeks five directors (two full-term, three short-term), while Gazelle Fire Protection District will elect two full-term directors. Grenada Fire Protection District needs four directors (three full-term, one short-term), Hornbrook Fire Protection District will elect three directors (two full-term, one short-term), and Scott Valley Fire Protection District seeks three directors (two full-term, one short-term).

Two sanitary districts are also holding elections. Grenada Sanitary District will elect five directors (two full-term, three short-term), and Happy Camp Sanitation District needs two full-term directors.

Additionally, two water districts will choose new leadership: Callahan Water District will elect five directors (two full-term, three short-term), and Sawyers Bar Water District needs three directors (two full-term, one short-term).

Candidate Requirements and Filing Process

To qualify for any director position, candidates must be registered voters residing within the specific district boundaries when nomination papers are issued. All nomination papers must be filed with the County Clerk’s office no later than 4:00 p.m. on August 8, 2025.

If no candidates file for a position, or if there are insufficient nominees, the Board of Supervisors will make appointments to fill the positions. However, an election will be held if voters submit a petition signed by 10% of registered voters in the district, or 50 voters, whichever is smaller, by August 13, 2025.

Full-term positions will serve until December 7, 2029, while short-term positions end on December 3, 2027.

Ballot Measure Also on November Ballot

In addition to director elections, voters in the Grenada Fire Protection District will decide on Measure C, which asks whether the district should be allowed to maintain its current spending limit of $50,000 for the next four years under Article 13B of the California Constitution.

The measure will appear on ballots as: “Shall the Grenada Fire Protection District be allowed to maintain the current spending limit pursuant to Article 13B of the California Constitution of an amount not to exceed $50,000 for a period from the last election for the next four years?”

Arguments For and Against Ballot Measures

Community members may submit written arguments for or against Measure C. Arguments are limited to 300 words and must be submitted to the County Clerk’s Office by 4:00 p.m. on August 8, 2025. If arguments are submitted on both sides, authors may prepare rebuttal arguments of up to 250 words, due by 4:00 p.m. on August 22, 2025.

A public examination period for analysis and arguments will run from August 23 through September 2, 2025. Requirements for submitting arguments are available in the Guide for Submitting Arguments and Rebuttal for Local Measures booklet at www.sisqvotes.org or from the County Clerk’s Office.

Voting Information

Election day is November 4, 2025, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. All eligible voters within each district’s boundaries may participate in their respective district elections and, for Grenada Fire Protection District residents, vote on Measure C.

Key Dates for Voters

Candidate Filing:

• July 14-August 8: Candidate nomination period
• August 9-13: Extension period if incumbents don’t file
• September 8-October 21: Write-in candidate filing period

Voting Preparation:

• September 25-October 14: County sample ballot booklets mailed
• October 6-28: Vote-by-mail ballots can be requested and mailed
• October 20: Last day to register to vote
• October 29-November 4: Vote-by-mail ballots available at County Clerk’s Office only

Election and Results:

• November 4: Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• November 5: Official canvass begins
• December 4: Deadline to certify local election results

How to Get Involved

Residents interested in running for special district positions can visit the Siskiyou County Clerk’s Office at 311 Fourth Street, Room 201, in Yreka. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 530-842-8084.

Complete election notices for all local offices are available online at www.sisqvotes.org. Detailed notices of election, including specific offices and the candidate filing process, will be published in the legal sections of county newspapers on July 16 and July 23, 2025.

These special district elections provide vital opportunities for community members to directly impact essential services including fire protection, water delivery, and sanitation services that affect daily life throughout Siskiyou County.

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