Supervisors Sign off on Planned Primary Election Expenses

By City News Service:

RIVERSIDE, CA - The Board of Supervisors this week authorized the Riverside County Registrar of Voters' Office to spend up to $3 million to cover operating expenses for the June 7 primary election.

In a 4-0 vote on Tuesday, with Supervisor John Tavaglione absent, the board approved Registrar Rebecca Spencer's spending plan, which was already budgeted.

In documents posted to the board's consent agenda, Spencer noted that $540,000 in primary election expenses are tied directly to ballot measures and races in municipalities, which will reimburse the county, leaving $2.46 million that will have to be drawn from the general fund.

Along with the presidential primary, there are five congressional races to be decided, nine state Assembly and Senate races, one competitive judicial contest, two county supervisors' races, one state ballot measure and three local measures -- one in Hemet and two in Riverside.

Absentee voting will get underway in mid-May and mail-in ballot processing will start the weekend before the election. However, by law, results cannot be posted until after the polls close on election night.

Spencer put out a call Tuesday for poll workers, who will staff polling stations and supplement the registrar's full-time workforce at ballot collection centers and the Gateway Drive headquarters in Riverside.

Designated precinct inspectors earn $125, while precinct officers make $90 for a day's work. A one-day training session is required as part of the commitment.

The registrar's office is also seeking individuals who are bilingual, able to speak both English and Spanish, English and Vietnamese, English and Cantonese, as well as individuals capable of using sign language.

Anyone interested in the temporary positions was asked to contact the registrar's office at (951) 486-7341, or (877) 663-9906.