The Orange County Clerk resigned and a special election has been set for voters to pick a replacement.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell submitted her official resignation as she is running for Mayor. This is the second resign-to-run resignation in Orange County, but because of the Clerk’s effective date, there will definitely be a special election for this office according to the Supervisor of Elections.
“I am Tiffany Moore Russell and I currently serve as the Orange County Clerk of the Courts,” the resignation letter stated. “I am writing to notify you that this letter will serve as my official “Resign-to-Run” notice to seek the office of Orange County Mayor. The effective date of my resignation is Monday, August 31, 2026.”
According to Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel, because this vacancy will occur with 28 months or more remaining in the term, a special election will be held to fill the remainder of the term. The special election will run concurrently with the August 18th primary and November 3rd general elections.
In her response to Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell, the Supervisor of Elections said her office will take the steps necessary to include this election with those already scheduled, with qualifying occurring from noon on June 8, 2026, through noon on June 12, 2026.
There are already five candidates running for Orange County Clerk of Courts, as Tiffany Moore Russell has been campaigning for Mayor and her intentions were clear.
Current candidates include: former Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh, Roberta Walton Johnson, former County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, Maribel Gomez Cordero, and Terrell Thomas.
There is still a question surrounding Commissioner Mayra Uribe’s resign-to-run vacancy and timeline, as she is also running for Mayor. Commissioner Uribe’s effective date is December 7, 2026. The Supervisor of Elections is seeking guidance from the state on how to proceed because it occurs with fewer than 28 months remaining in the term, the Governor has the authority to either appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term or call for a special election to fill the remainder of the term, according to Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel.
Here is the resignation letter submitted by Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell:
Here is the response letter from Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel:
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Supervisor of Elections Clarifies Resign-to-Run Timelines in Orange County
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Orange County Supervisor of Elections ‘Uncertain How to Proceed’
