Board certifies Assembly District 63 results after public calls for audit transparency

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to file certification of the Assembly District 63 special election after members of the public raised questions about the Registrar of Voters' (ROV) reconciliation process.

Citizens and advocacy groups at the podium said they had requested audit-trail documentation under the California Public Records Act and found discrepancies in reports: one public commenter said a conditional voter registration report showed 37 CVR ballots while the final certification list showed 39, and another citizen described an unexplained 33,888-ballot discrepancy from an earlier review. They urged the board to return the item to the ROV or to authorize an independent verification.

Registrar Art Tonoco told the board he had opened the ROV to observers, provided voluminous PRA documents and created logs and new checks to support reconciliation. Tonoco said the reconciliation work begins 29 days before an election, includes multiple audits of ballots processed and scanned, and that observation is available in person and via livestream. He said he personally reconciled the small CVR/provisional-ballot difference and that, after reviewing procedures and follow-up steps, he felt confident the office had followed California Elections Code requirements and was ready to file certification.

Board members pressed for follow-up and clearer public guidance on how residents can observe or request documents. County staff and the elected county auditor agreed to meet with the citizen group to review proposed reconciliation procedures and to report back. The board then moved, seconded and recorded the roll-call vote; the clerk recorded five "yes" votes and the certification was filed.

What the board approved

- Action taken: Filing of certification for the Assembly District 63 special election (board vote: 5-0). - Record: Registrar stated he followed Elections Code sections cited and used reconciliation logs; county auditor agreed to review citizen-provided procedures and discuss internal options.

Why it matters

Public confidence in local election administration depends on transparent reconciliation and accessible audit records. Advocates asked for independent verification and clearer public-facing documentation; officials said they had expanded observation opportunities and would continue working with volunteer auditors and the county auditor's office.

Next steps

County staff and the county auditor plan a follow-up meeting with citizen groups to review reconciliation procedures and consider an implementation plan; the board recorded that staff would follow up with the individuals who raised concerns.