Nevada County Supervisors to Interview Finalists for Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters

Nevada County is preparing to appoint its next Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, a critical position responsible for overseeing elections, recording official documents, and safeguarding the integrity of public records. Following the resignation of former Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Natalie Adona on June 6, 2025, the Board of Supervisors has moved forward with the legally required process to fill the vacancy. Two candidates have advanced to the final stage of interviews: Tina Belding and Armando Salud-Ambriz.

The Board of Supervisors will conduct public interviews and make its appointment during a special meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The session will be held in open session, giving residents an opportunity to watch the proceedings and provide public comment before the decision is made.

Legal Framework and Appointment Process

Under California Government Code, vacancies in elected county offices must be filled by the Board of Supervisors, not through a special election. Whoever is appointed will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires on January 4, 2027, and must then seek election in 2026 if they wish to continue serving.

After Adona’s resignation, the Board formed an Ad Hoc Selection Committee to lead the recruitment effort. Initial candidate interviews were held on September 3, 2025, by the committee and a panel of reviewers. Following those evaluations, two finalists were recommended to proceed to the full Board for final interviews and a decision.

Unlike other county hiring processes, the Brown Act requires that interviews for elective offices be conducted in public. This means both finalists will be interviewed in open session, and Board deliberations will also occur publicly.

During the interim period, Assistant Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Corey O’Hayre has been serving as acting Clerk-Recorder, ensuring continuity of operations until the appointment is finalized.

Candidate Profiles

Tina Belding

Belding is a long-time Nevada County resident with deep professional roots in the region’s election systems. 

She currently serves as Elections Manager for Yuba County, where she assists the department head in planning, managing, and reporting elections. Her duties include supervising staff, managing budgets, preparing board resolutions, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring compliance with state and federal election laws.

Previously, she worked in the Placer County Elections Office in progressively responsible positions, rising to Elections Technician Supervisor and overseeing candidate filing, voter registration, Secretary of State reporting, and vote-by-mail processes. She supervised permanent staff as well as more than 80 temporary staff, developed streamlined procedures, managed election preparation, and provided transparency to the public through tours and election integrity demonstrations. 

Belding began her elections career in 2014 in Placer County’s registration unit and has over a decade of hands-on experience in administering federal, state, and local elections. She is a member of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials.  Her background also includes experience running local businesses and working in early childhood education. She holds a California Professional Elections Administration Credential and studied political science at Sierra College. 

Armando Salud-Ambriz

Salud-Ambriz currently serves as Deputy of Elections in Yolo County, where he oversees permanent staff and up to 20 seasonal employees, while leading planning, budgeting, outreach, and compliance efforts. His role includes interpreting election law, responding to public inquiries, working with state agencies, and implementing election technologies.

Previously, he served as Yolo County’s Elections Manager, where he supervised staff, conducted outreach, and analyzed election legislation. Before that, he was Voting Systems and Technology Supervisor in Sacramento County, responsible for maintaining voter registration files, supervising vote-by-mail systems, and overseeing ballot security.

Salud-Ambriz earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from CSU Sacramento and a Master of Public Administration from McGeorge School of Law in 2024. He holds certifications as a California Registered Election Official and a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator. His professional involvement includes serving on statewide advisory committees, the National Association of Election Officials, and the National Voter Registration Day Steering Committee.

Public Participation and Transparency

The special meeting will take place at the Eric Rood Administrative Center, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, on Monday, September 22, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m.. Members of the public may attend in person, submit comments online via eComment at www.nevadacountyca.gov/boardmeetings, send letters to the Board, or email comments to BOS.PublicComment@nevadacountyca.gov. Written or emailed comments received by 4:00 p.m. the day before the meeting will be distributed to supervisors and entered into the record.

Trust, Accuracy, and Integrity

The appointment of Nevada County’s next Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters comes at a pivotal time. The officeholder will be responsible not only for conducting the November 2026 election but also for maintaining voter trust, ensuring accurate records, and safeguarding election integrity.

Both finalists—Tina Belding and Armando Salud-Ambriz—bring extensive election administration experience, though their backgrounds reflect different strengths: Belding offers deep ties to Nevada County and extensive hands-on management in Placer and Yuba Counties, while Salud-Ambriz brings broader statewide experience, advanced education, and leadership in modern election practices.

The decision now rests with the Board of Supervisors, who will weigh these qualifications in an open forum on September 22. Nevada County residents are encouraged to participate in the process and make their voices heard as the county selects its next leader for this vital office.