Riverside County residents can watch election workers process mail ballots in person through a new observer tour program at the registrar's office.

Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco launched the "Election Observer Tours" on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the agency's headquarters at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside, Patch reported. Tours will run every Tuesday and Thursday through Election Day, Nov. 3.

Each session holds a maximum of 20 people. Two time slots are available: 11 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Residents who want to attend must reserve a spot by calling 951-486-7200.

"We invite community members to engage with the democratic process and learn how their votes are counted," Tinoco said in an Oct. 4 statement. "Together, let's ensure a fair, accurate and transparent election for all."

Tinoco has made transparency a stated priority since 2024. The office also held public logic and accuracy testing of its voting system on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 2724 Gateway Drive, letting observers watch technicians verify that machines count correctly before any ballots are tallied.

The tours come after months of turmoil over ballot handling in Riverside County. In February, Sheriff Chad Bianco obtained warrants to seize approximately 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 special election after an election integrity group claimed discrepancies in certified results. The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in September that Bianco violated state election law and ordered him to return the ballots to Tinoco. The sheriff's office returned the materials by Sept. 29, according to The Riverside Record.

The registrar's office sent 1.4 million vote-by-mail ballots as of Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 general election. As we reported Tuesday, Oct. 6, Murrieta voters will find a $359 million school bond among the items on their ballots.

Completed ballots must reach the registrar's office or any Riverside County vote center by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Ballots postmarked by Election Day will be accepted through Nov. 10. Early voting is open at the registrar's office weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and two 24-hour drop boxes sit outside the main entrance at 2720 and 2724 Gateway Drive. Additional drop-off locations and vote center details are available at voteinfo.net.

Election dates

• Every Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 3 — Election Observer Tours, 2720 Gateway Drive, Riverside. Reserve at 951-486-7200.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Election Day. Registrar's office open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.