Supervisors Press Registrar on Duplicate Ballots Two Weeks Before Election
Board of Supervisors • Imperial CountyOctober 20, 2026
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About 160 Imperial County voters received two ballots, and postal delays sent more replacement ballots into the mail with the Nov. 3 election two weeks away. At their Oct. 20, 2026, meeting, county supervisors ordered the Registrar of Voters back next week with an outreach update. Supervisors also clashed with the elected auditor-controller over a late property tax levy and agreed to cover a $6.1M jump in employee health costs.
- About 160 confidential voters got duplicate ballots; board orders a registrar outreach update next week
- Tax levy misses its Oct. 3 deadline as the executive officer and the elected auditor-controller trade blame
- Data center litigation costs and a CEQA ruling draw sharp public comment
- County absorbs a $6.1M health premium increase, so employee premiums for 2027 stay flat
- Supervisor John Hawk apologizes to the Quitsan Indian Tribe over a "scalped" remark
Duplicate Ballots Put Elections Office on Notice
The basics: The Registrar of Voters told the board that about 160 voters whose records are confidential under AB 1392 received duplicate ballots because of an error in a supplemental-ballot mailing. Supplemental ballots go out when a voter's registration changes.
Why it matters: Voters who return the wrong envelope could have their ballots rejected. That risk lands in a county that one speaker said ranks last in turnout.
Where things stand: The registrar said only one ballot per voter will be counted. When a supplemental ballot is issued, the older envelope is suspended and will be rejected if returned. U.S. Postal Service delivery delays also triggered more supplemental ballots. Voters with questions can call the elections office, vote at a vote center or track their ballot at wheresmyballot.com.
Supervisors focused on residents who speak English as a second language. Martha Cardenas Singh, Supervisor, District 2, urged a faster way to get double-ballot guidance out in English and Spanish, suggesting a press conference or a short video. Another supervisor stressed that voters can still use vote centers and provisional ballots.
The other side: Public comment split along familiar lines.
- Brian Vega, chair of the Imperial County Democratic Party, called for the registrar to appear before Nov. 3 and explain in English and Spanish what went wrong. He cited the county's last-place turnout.
- Maria Peinado, a member of the Imperial County Elections Workgroup, urged the board to stay engaged with the elections department. She noted the workgroup has met once since June.
- Francis Biopi, a public commenter, urged funding for voter outreach and communications staff. Biopi criticized the board's earlier denial of a $50,000 grant request.
- Tony Gallegos, a public commenter, raised concerns about late ballots and a rumor of paid ballot pickups.
- Joseph Guillén, a public commenter, defended the registrar. Guillén called the criticism uncalled for and politically motivated, and urged the board to stay firm.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The board took no vote. It directed the registrar to return next week, and the chair gave staff direction to help with additional voter education. Confidential voters, Spanish-speaking households and voters who recently changed their registration face the most confusion.
What's next: The registrar is due back at next week's meeting, one week before Election Day.
Tax Levy Stalls in Standoff With Auditor-Controller
Why it matters: The property tax levy package was due Oct. 3. Late levy documents can delay tax bills, slow revenue to taxing agencies and complicate the county's financial reporting and disclosure obligations.
Where things stand: The county's executive officer put the delay on one office. "The property tax levy documentation remains pending the required action and signature of the elected auditor controller," the executive officer said. Draft fiscal year 2024-25 financial statements from the county's contracted CPA firm are also pending.
The executive officer stressed that the board's role is oversight, not directing the auditor-controller's statutory duties. The executive officer added that emails since Aug. 24 had invited the auditor-controller to take part. This is the first missed deadline in the budget deputy's roughly eight-year tenure, the executive officer said.
The other side: Karina Alvarez, the elected Auditor-Controller, said she was left out of the calculations and meetings. Alvarez questioned whether internal controls exist. She said she had been told counsel advised staff not to share information with her. In her view, the board was being asked to bless the rates after the fact.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Ryan Elliott Kelly, Supervisor, District 4, asked what recourse the board has. Counsel said the board can set reasonable deadlines. Cardenas Singh then moved, with Kelly seconding, to require that the levy and tax roll be completed and signed by the next meeting, Oct. 27. The outcome of that vote was not clearly announced.
The dispute pits appointed county management against an independently elected official. Property owners, schools and special districts that rely on levy revenue are caught in the middle.
What's next: Watch for whether the levy is signed by Oct. 27, and whether the board formally confirms the deadline.
Data Center Lawsuit Shadows Public Comment
Why it matters: Critics say a court found the county broke environmental law in its handling of a data center project. They want to know how much taxpayers have spent defending it.
Where things stand: Jake Tyson, a public commenter, cited a court ruling on piecemealing, which means splitting a project into pieces to avoid full environmental review. He also faulted the county's use of a ministerial exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, the lack of an environmental impact report and reliance on a 2017 review. Tyson called for an investigation and asked about litigation fees.
Idell Burden, a public commenter, also asked how much the county has spent on litigation. Burden criticized the chair's remarks about the data center at an advisory committee meeting. Peter Rodriguez, a public commenter, referenced the county's court losses, called for decorum and urged a boycott of the Nov. 5 event.
The other side: Gallegos said the board voted only on a lot merger and did what the law required.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No action was on the agenda. Tensions over a recall effort also surfaced. Gina Snow, a public commenter, alleged an intimidating encounter with the chair's husband at a recall booth at Imperial Market Days. Snow also criticized how Supervisors Price and Hawk responded. These are the speaker's claims and were not addressed on the record.
What's next: Residents seeking litigation cost figures may pursue them through future meetings or public records requests.
County Covers $6.1M Health Premium Jump
Why it matters: The county will absorb about $6.1M in higher health costs, shielding employees and retirees from premium increases in 2027.
Where things stand: "This year, PRISM projected 11.1% increase in healthcare premiums," said Bruce Davis, Director of Human Resources Risk Management. Davis cited inflation, higher use of care, specialty drugs such as GLP-1s and high-cost therapies. County actuaries projected steeper increases: 12.4% for active employees, about $4.5M, and 15.1% for retirees, about $1.6M.
Under labor agreements, the county pays the entire increase. Dental and vision rates stay flat, and Anthem Medicare Advantage costs rise about 5%.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The board pulled the item to the front of the action calendar. Cardenas Singh moved and Kelly seconded, and it passed on a voice vote with no debate; no tally was announced. Employees and retirees come out ahead, while the general fund carries the added cost.
What's next: The county holds a benefits fair Oct. 28.
Hawk Apologizes to Quitsan Tribe
Why it matters: A remark the tribe called a racial slur became tied to a stalled bridge repair and a push for tribal representation on the board.
Where things stand: Michael Jack, speaking for the Quitsan Indian Tribe, asked for a signed board apology over a recorded remark he said used the word "scalped." He urged action on the Picacho Road Bridge. Jack also called for redistricting and Local Agency Formation Commission involvement to give the tribe and the Bard and Winterhaven area a stronger voice.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Later, during board reports, John Hawk, Supervisor, District 5, responded. "But I would like to publicly apologize for my comments, and they were insensitive and not thought through," Hawk said. He said the 101-year-old bridge should have been replaced earlier and that funding is the obstacle.
What's next: Hawk offered to form an advisory council with another supervisor. No timeline was set.
Minor Items
- Chief public defender: Board appointed Daniel Rosenberg 5-0 in closed session at a $217,573.80 salary, effective Oct. 20, 2026.
- Counsel pay correction: Board corrected interim county counsel Chris Becker's compensation, which the Oct. 6 report had understated.
- Aten Road lease: Item 31 was pulled from consent after awardee Pedro Diaz said his redlines sought negotiation, not rejection. Diaz promised 60 to 80 jobs. "Can this be tabled until the next meeting so that we can get clarity from all sides?" Kelly asked.
- Farmworker Appreciation Event: Contribution rose to $2,500 after District 5 added $500; the consent calendar, consent budget and Oct. 13 minutes passed on voice votes.
- Retirement office complaint: Isaiah Gonzalez, a public commenter, alleged favoritism and mistreatment of women in the retirement department's management.
Looking ahead: The registrar's outreach update and the Oct. 27 levy target put next week's meeting squarely on election and tax administration.