RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Riverside County Registrar of voters Rebecca Spencer is on paid administrative leave, but because it’s a personnel matter, officials are not offering an explanation.

The move came during a performance review Tuesday during a closed session of county supervisors.

Two years ago, Spencer and District Attorney Mike Hestrin clashed over an issue involving ballot drop boxes.

Spencer wrote in an email to the board of supervisors "I should be able to do my job free of political intimidation, interference, and retaliation..."

"It has become abundantly clear that the inappropriate behavior and unlawful interference with my job duties and responsibilities will not stop," Spencer wrote.

Spencer’s leave comes just months ahead of the March primary elections. She has been the county’s top appointed elections official since 2014.

Story Date: September 20, 2023