Riverside County Sheriff's Office Investigating Alleged Election Irregularities

Probe launched after group claims discrepancy between ballots cast and counted in November special election

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Riverside County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation into 'alleged irregularities in our elections,' the department confirmed in a statement. The investigation comes after a local group, the Riverside Election Integrity Team (REIT), reported a discrepancy between the number of ballots cast and the number of ballots counted in last November's special statewide election. The sheriff's office has secured the ballots and is conducting a count to determine the cause of the discrepancy.

Why it matters

This investigation highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity and transparency, especially in the wake of the 2020 election. The sheriff's office's involvement raises questions about the role of law enforcement in overseeing elections, and the potential for political influence in such investigations. The outcome could have significant implications for public trust in the electoral process in Riverside County.

The details

According to the REIT, there were 611,426 ballots cast and 657,322 ballots counted, a difference of 45,896. The Riverside County Registrar of Voters (ROV) disputed this, saying the actual difference was only 103 ballots. The sheriff's office has now 'secured the ballots' through a court order and is conducting a count to determine the cause of the discrepancy. The ROV has stated that the county is committed to safeguarding free and fair elections and that all election procedures are regulated by state and federal laws.

  • The investigation was launched in February 2026, less than a month after the REIT reported the discrepancy.
  • The REIT presented its findings at a February 10, 2026 workshop.
  • The sheriff's office was given the responsibility to investigate the discrepancy in February 2026.

The players

Riverside County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that has launched an investigation into alleged election irregularities in Riverside County.

Riverside Election Integrity Team (REIT)

A local group that reported a discrepancy between the number of ballots cast and the number of ballots counted in the November 2025 special statewide election.

Riverside County Registrar of Voters (ROV)

The county agency responsible for overseeing elections in Riverside County, which has disputed the REIT's findings and stated that the county is committed to safeguarding free and fair elections.

Robert Castellanos

The RSO investigator who has been given the responsibility to investigate the discrepancy and conduct a count of the ballots.

Greg Langworthy

A member of the REIT who stated that the group first informed the sheriff's department of their concerns a couple of months ago.

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What they’re saying

“That's how [RSO Investigator] Robert [Castellanos] got involved. He was given the responsibility to investigate the 45,000 extra votes, and try to get to the bottom of whether this error was because of something in the system or if it was because the election workers are making lots of errors.”

— Greg Langworthy, Member, Riverside Election Integrity Team (The Riverside Record)

“Over the years, the ROV team has met with community members to discuss a variety of election-related issues, including recent questions regarding the number of ballots cast versus ballots counted in the November 4 special election. As election procedures come under more scrutiny across the nation, I want to remind residents that every aspect of the electoral process can be observed (in person or virtually) by members of the community, media, candidates or any other interested parties.”

— Jeff Van Wagenen, Riverside County Executive Officer (The Riverside Record)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the sheriff's department to continue its investigation and retain possession of the ballots from the November 2025 special election.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the ongoing tensions around election integrity and transparency, with law enforcement playing a more prominent role in overseeing the electoral process. The outcome could have significant implications for public trust in Riverside County's elections, and the broader debate around the role of law enforcement in safeguarding the democratic process.