City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 7, 2026 FROM: CITY CLERK’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON JUNE 2, 2026, DECLARING THE RESULTS - A RESOLUTION CALLING A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL RUNOFF ELECTION FOR WARDS 2 AND 4 CITY COUNCIL SEATS ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution reciting the facts of June 2, 2026, General Municipal Election and declaring the results for City Council Wards 2, 4, and 6 and Ballot Measure Z, the City of Riverside Voter-Approved Transaction and Use Tax Renewal Measure. Additionally, adopt a resolution calling a Special Municipal Runoff Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of City Council members representing Wards 2 and 4.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on June 2, 2026, and declaring the results for City Council Wards 2, 4, and 6 and Ballot Measure Z; Adopt a resolution calling a Special Municipal Runoff Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of City Council members representing Wards 2 and 4, to be consolidated with all other elections held on the same day within the City; Maintain the policy requiring candidates to pay the cost of publishing a Candidate Statement of Qualifications of up to 200 words; and Direct the City Clerk to carry out all administrative duties in accordance with the City Charter and the California Elections Code.
BACKGROUND:
On January 6, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24342, calling an election to be held on June 2, 2026, for the purpose of electing City Council members representing Wards 2, 4, and 6. Subsequently, on March 3, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24360, ordering the placement of a ballot measure on the same ballot (City of Riverside Measure Z), which proposed renewing the City's Transaction and Use Tax (Sales Tax) at an updated rate of one and one-quarter percent until repealed by the voters.
In accordance with California Elections Code section 15372, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters (ROV) completed the official canvass of returns for June 2, 2026, General Municipal Election on June 26, 2026.
Further, Elections Code section 15400 provides that, "The governing board shall also declare the results of each election under its jurisdiction as to each measure voted on at the election." Riverside City Charter section 400(e) states:
"Officials elected at the general municipal election shall take office on the second Tuesday following completion of the canvass, but in no event later than the fifth Tuesday following the general municipal election." The candidates and contest who appeared on the ballot are listed below:
Ward 2 Ward 4
Gracie Torres Jessica Qattawi
Christen Montero Chuck Conder
Aram Ayra Rich Vandenberg
Mike Vahl
Ward 6
Oz Puerta
Luis Hernandez
Norma Berrellez
Ballot Measure Z: “To fund general local city services such as 911, fire, police response; preparing for wildfires; recruiting/retaining well-trained firefighters/paramedics; preventing crime; keeping public areas safe/clean; addressing homelessness; repairing potholes/roads; shall a measure renewing the existing City of Riverside voter-approved transaction and use (sales) tax at an updated 1 ¼¢ rate, providing approximately $106,000,000 annually until ended by voters, subject to audits, spending disclosure, all funds controlled locally, be adopted?” DISCUSSION:
For the June 2, 2026, General Municipal Election, every registered voter received a vote-by-mail ballot. In addition to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters Office, seventeen (17) vote centers and thirteen (13) ballot drop-off locations were available throughout the City.
The official election results indicate that Ward 2 candidates Gracie Torres and Aram Ayra, and Ward 4 candidates Chuck Conder and Rich Vandenberg, received the highest number of votes in their respective contests.
Pursuant to the City Charter, because no candidate received a majority of the votes cast in those races, the City Council must call a Special Municipal Runoff Election to be held on November 3, 2026, concurrent with the statewide general election.
For Ward 6, candidate Luis Hernandez received a majority of the votes cast and is therefore declared elected to represent Ward 6 for a four-year term ending in June 2030.
Additionally, a majority of voters opposed Ballot Measure Z, the City of Riverside Voter-Approved Transaction and Use Tax Renewal Measure. As a result, the ballot measure failed.
Attached to the report is the Riverside Registrar of Voters Certificate of Election, the Statement of Vote, and a resolution reflecting the final election results.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost of conducting November 3, 2026, Special Municipal Runoff Election is included in the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget.
Prepared by: Donesia Gause, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
Certificate of Election
Resolution – Reciting the fact
Exhibit A - Statement of Vote
Resolution calling the election
Presentation
Election ResultsPage 2