REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 6, 2026
FROM
JOANI FINWALL, Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT
Title
Appointment of Candidates in Lieu of Election
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution appointing candidates in lieu of election for certain contests in the November 3, 2026 General Election, where the number of persons filing a Declaration of Candidacy was less than or equal to the number of offices to be filled.
(Presenter: Joani Finwall, Registrar of Voters, 387-2100)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this action will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as the adoption of Resolution for appointments in lieu of election is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Adoption of this Resolution will appoint candidates in lieu of election to fill certain offices that were up for election in various special districts in the November 3, 2026, General Election.
California Elections Code section 10515 requires that when the number of candidates who file for an office is less than or equal to the number of offices to be filled, the Board of Supervisors (Board) shall appoint those candidates to the office. When no person files for an office, the Board shall appoint a qualified person to fill that office. All persons appointed in lieu of election by the Board shall serve to the end of the term.
There are candidate appointments for 61 offices in 28 special districts where there are an equal or fewer number of persons for each contest (unopposed), per the Resolution. Pursuant to California Elections Code section 10515, the recommended Resolution would appoint 61 candidates who filed a Declaration of Candidacy for this election.
No eligible voters filed a Declaration of Candidacy for 19 additional offices in 11 special districts. The Registrar of Voters has requested the First and Third Supervisorial Districts to identify qualified candidates for these 19 vacancies. Recommended appointments to fill the following vacant offices as members of Board of Directors will be presented to the Board for approval at a future meeting:
|
No. of Appointments |
District Office |
Term |
BOS District |
|
1 |
Apple Valley Foothill County Water District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
1 |
|
2 |
Barstow Heights Community Services District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
3 |
|
2 |
Big River Community Services District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
3 |
|
2 |
Daggett Community Services District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
3 |
|
1 |
Hi-Desert Memorial Health Care District, Member, Board of Directors, Division 5 |
4-year |
3 |
|
2 |
Juniper-Riviera County Water District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
1 |
|
1 |
Rim of the World Recreation and Park District, Member, Board of Directors, Division 5 |
4-year |
3 |
|
2 |
Thunderbird County Water District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
1 |
|
2 |
Thunderbird County Water District, Member, Board of Directors |
2-year |
1 |
|
1 |
Twentynine Palms Water District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
3 |
|
2 |
Yermo Community Services District, Member, Board of Directors |
4-year |
3 |
|
1 |
Yucca Valley Airport District, Member, Board of Directors |
2-year |
3 |
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Jolena Grider, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 9, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on September 15, 2026.