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Board of Supervisors appoints Armando Salud Ambriz as Nevada County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters
Summary
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors appointed Armando Salud Ambriz to fill the unexpired term of former Clerk-Recorder/Registrar Natalie Adona. The appointment was made by roll call after a public, in-person interview process with two finalists and will be conditional on residency and voter registration requirements.
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Armando Salud Ambriz as the county’s Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, following a public interview with two finalists for the position.
The seat became vacant after Natalie Adona resigned on 06/06/2025. County counsel told the board state law mandates the board fill the vacancy and that a special election was not allowed; the appointee will serve for the unexpired term through January 2027, the counsel said. The board set a conditional start date of 10/13/2025 pending the appointee meeting residency and voter-registration qualifications.
Board Chair Heidi Hall opened the special public meeting to conduct the appointment process and introduced Human Resources Interim Director Susan Cadera, who explained that an ad hoc task force (Supervisors Bullock and Hook) screened applicants and forwarded two finalists: Armando Salud Ambriz and Tina Belding. Each finalist gave opening remarks, answered ten scripted questions from the board, and provided closing remarks.
During the interview, both finalists described long careers in election administration and plans to strengthen public confidence. Ambriz outlined a multimedia outreach approach and expanded election-observer training, saying misinformation after the 2020 election drove the need for outreach: “people listen or obtain information differently and we must meet them where they are.” Belding emphasized transparency, public tours of the office and accuracy testing, and building local relationships: “I would make sure that the doors are always open.” Both candidates described experience with voter-accessibility efforts and collaboration with community organizations.
Board members asked about budget experience, voter-roll maintenance, technology and security, outreach to remote areas, transparency during ballot counting, leadership and staff development, and metrics for success. Belding cited management of a roughly $1,300,000 elections budget in Yuba County and her experience supervising teams. Ambriz described budget narrative work in Yolo County and experience presenting budgets and seeking efficiencies.
After the interviews, supervisors conducted a semi-secret preference ballot, then a formal motion and roll-call vote to appoint Ambriz. The clerk announced individual supervisor preferences before the motion. The board then moved, seconded and approved the appointment by roll call, with all five supervisors recorded as voting “yes.” County staff confirmed the appointment is conditional on the appointee meeting Nevada County residency and voter-registration requirements before the confirmed start date.
The board thanked both finalists and the ad hoc committee for the recruitment work. Chair Hall encouraged the unsuccessful finalist to remain engaged and noted the county’s interest in transparency and public confidence in elections. The meeting adjourned after the appointment and closing comments.
