Riverside County Civil Grand Jury Report

2024-2025 Riverside County

Civil Grand Jury Report

Riverside County Elections:

A Pathway to Greater Voter Confidence

June 10, 2025

(excerpts from pages 5-7)

Local November 5,2024, Election Results Discrepancies

Riverside County citizens formed a private election oversight committee (community group). For years, they have voiced their concerns about Riverside County election during Board meetings, directly with ROV personnel, and in other public forums. 

Following the November 2024 election, the ROV and the community group held in-person meetings and exchanged emails to discuss local election procedures. One of the key topics addressed was the post-election canvass, which ensures that all valid ballots are accurately counted and included in the certified results. The California Election Code15302 outlines a series of procedures for election canvassing.

After the November 5, 2024, election, the community group wanted to compare ROV’s certified election results with results they calculated independently. The community group requested and obtained relevant election information from Riverside County’s ROV.

….The community group independently calculated the November 5, 2024, results using California Election Code §15302 (c) and (d) and documentation provided by ROV.

Those procedures are as follows:

(c) In the event of a discrepancy in the reconciliation required by subdivision (b), the Number of ballots received from each polling place shall be reconciled with the

Number of ballots cast, as indicated on the ballot statement.  (d) A reconciliation of the number of ballots counted, spoiled, canceled, or Invalidated due to identifying marks, overvotes, or as otherwise provided by Statute, with the number of votes recorded, including vote by mail and provisional Ballots, by the vote counting system.

The community group reported a discrepancy of 33,888 ballots when compared to ROV’s figures. The ROV included 33,888 more ballots in its certified election results than the community group could verify. 

…Through a series of interviews, the Civil Grand Jury found that the ROV was transparent with the community group, and the community group could not have completed its evaluation of the ballot process without the ROV’s assistance. Both sides desired a transparent and accurate ballot counting system. There is evidence that the ROV followed federal and state election laws and no evidence that the ROV is deliberately withholding information.

As demonstrated by lawsuits involving multiple California counties, including Riverside County, there is a persistent need for an independent verification method for Riverside County’s certified election results. Simply adhering to California election laws does not eliminate uncertainties in election outcomes.