One week after the June 2 election, the Measure Z remains projected to fail, and all three city council races appear headed toward a runoff election in November.
June 9 is the last day county elections offices can receive mailed ballots that were already postmarked by Election Day and still count them.
However, the city will keep counting votes until July 2, and the results will be certified July 10.
Riverside voters were asked to choose City Council representatives for Wards 2, 4 and 6 under the new ward boundaries adopted in 2023 — and weighed in on Measure Z, a proposal to raise the city sales tax to 1.25% to fund emergency services.
A council candidate must win more than 50 percent of the vote to take the seat outright; if no one does, the top two finishers advance to a Nov. 3 runoff election. Measure Z needs a simple majority to pass.
The figures below reflect the end-of-week counts released by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 9.
Measure Z
Measure Z, which would raise Riverside's sales tax from 1 percent to 1.25 percent and remove its 2036 sunset to fund fire staffing and stations,
It is structured as a general tax instead of a special tax, meaning funds generated from the tax would go to the city’s general fund and not a specific fund for fire and emergency needs.
It needs a simple majority to pass. As of June 9 at 6 p.m., 32.65% of the vote was counted.
Yes: 21,272 votes (40.94%)
No: 30,681 votes (59.06%)
Ward 2
In the four-way race for the open Ward 2 seat, Gracie Torres leads with 37.84% percent of the vote with all precincts reporting. No candidate is above 50 percent; Torres and Ayra are the apparent top two. As of June 9 at 6 p.m., 37.88% of the vote was counted.
Gracie Torres: 2,734 votes (37.84%)
Aram Ayra: 2,544 votes (35.21%)
Mike Vahl: 1,674 votes (23.17%)
Christen Montero: 273 votes (3.78%)
Both Torres and Ayra put out statements on Thursday thanking supporters and gearing up toward a runoff in November.
“As the results indicate that this race is likely headed to the general election, we are encouraged by the momentum our campaign has built and excited for the opportunity to continue earning the trust of our community,” Torres said in a statement on her Instagram.
Ayra said he was “encouraged by the latest results.”
“...With each update, our vote share has continued to grow, and it is clear that our message is resonating,” Ayra said. “We are grateful for the trending results and are currently placing in the top-two to advance ahead to the November election!” he said in an Instagram statement.
Montero confirmed the end of her campaign, sharing a message on Instagram following the primary.
"The primary may be over, but our commitment to a new direction remains," Montero wrote. "I am deeply grateful for your support, your passion, and for believing in the power and potential of our community."
"This campaign was about all of us, and while the path for this race has ended, our work continues," she said.
Ward 4
Incumbent Chuck Conder leads Ward 4 with 45.59% — just short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff — with all precincts reporting. As of June 9 at 6 p.m., 45.05% of the vote was counted.
Chuck Conder (incumbent): 5,625 votes (45.59%)
Rich Vandenberg: 3,529 votes (28.60%)
Jessica Qattawi: 3,184 votes (25.81%)
In a statement posted on his Facebook Friday morning, Vandenberg thanked his supporters.
“Votes are still being counted, and we’re watching results carefully. Whatever comes next, one thing hasn’t changed: this campaign has always been about serving our community and giving residents a voice,” Vandenberg said. “More updates to come. For now, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Qattawi said she’s remaining in the race and continuing to watch the remainder of votes being counted.
"I have some exciting plans ahead and I'm incredibly optimistic about the future," Qattawi told the Gazette. "This campaign taught me so much, and I'm grateful for every lesson, conversation and connection that came from it."
"While I'm not quite ready to share all the details yet, I can tell you that my focus remains the same: creating a brighter future for Riverside residents and continuing to serve our community in meaningful ways," she said.
Ward 6
Luis Hernandez leads the open Ward 6 seat left by retiring three-term Council member Jim Perry, with all precincts reporting. As of June 9 at 6 p.m., 22.76% of the vote was counted.
Luis Hernandez: 2,005 votes (48.95%)
Oz Puerta: 1,166 votes (28.47%)
Norma Berrellez: 925 votes (22.58%)
With a runoff election in sight, Puerta said in a statement on his Instagram Friday morning that he has “every intention of seeing this race through to victory.”
“We will continue working hard, earning support, and sharing our vision for a safer, cleaner and more prosperous Ward 6,” he said.
Berrellez indicated on June 8 she is not conceding and is awaiting final election certification results, despite trailing in preliminary results about 6 percentage points behind Oz Puerta, who is second with 28.47%,
"I continue to be motivated by my community of voters who believe I will be going to the November election," Berrellez said in a statement to the Gazette. "We are committed to fight until they officially count every vote and announce the victory for the two candidates moving forward."
What happens next
Any Ward 2, 4 or 6 race in which no candidate finishes above 50 percent will advance its top two finishers to a runoff on Nov. 3.
For full candidate profiles and race background, see the Gazette's 2026 Election Guide.
Civic Engagement Reporter who calls the Inland Empire home. Five years covering SoCal. APU journalism grad. Good conversations over coffee and stories that matter.
One day into election ballot counting, results remain largely the same — with Measure Z projected to fail and Torres, Conder and Hernandez leading their respective council races.
Early returns show nearly 60% of voters opposing the city's proposed sales tax increase, which would have raised the rate from 1% to 1.25% and removed its 2036 expiration date.
