Open Letter to California AG Bonta Requesting Investigation into 2026 Los Angeles Mayoral Election

Via Email and Regular Mail                                         July 9, 2026

Attorney General Rob Bonta
Office of the Attorney General
California Department of Justice
1300 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-2919

Re: Request for Formal Inquiry into the Administration and Integrity of the 2026 Los Angeles Mayoral Election

Dear Attorney General Bonta,

I am writing as a concerned resident of California, a registered voter and the Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County. 

As you know, there were serious questions raised regarding the June 2nd Primary Election in Los Angeles, particularly as it relates to the mayoral race. The process involved substantial use of mail-in ballots, extended counting periods, and late shifts in reported totals as additional ballots were processed and canvassed. These elements of California’s election administration have prompted widespread public discussion and questions about transparency, chain-of-custody procedures, signature verification standards, voter roll accuracy, and the overall reliability of results.

After June 2, it was reported that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles opened multiple election fraud investigations related to the June primary in Los Angeles and sent a prosecutor to the L.A. County’s ballot tabulation center to monitor the notoriously prolonged vote counting. FBI agents descended on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles a week after the election as part of a stunning investigation into voter fraud after homeless people living there claimed they’d been paid cash to sign multiple registration forms, forge signatures, and fill out voter information ahead of the mayoral race and gubernatorial primary.

The bottom line is there are serious questions and concerns surrounding the June Primary Election in Los Angeles and it seems the only agency responding is the United States Department of Justice—and not anyone from the state of California itself.  Why didn’t your California Department of Justice respond with an onsite physical presence at the Los Angeles County ballot tabulation center and the launch of an investigation into concerns regarding various claims of voter fraud and election irregularities?

As candidate for Attorney General, Michael Gates, has said publicly many times, “Attorney General Rob Bonta should be investigating the concerns regarding the June Primary Election in Los Angeles—for no other reason than that doing so would build confidence and public trust among the voting population in Los Angeles and statewide.  Doing nothing is highly dismissive, tone-deaf to concerns of Californians statewide, creates a breeding ground for rampant speculation, and erodes the public trust.”

Under California Elections Code, §18581 and §18582, among others, the California Attorney General has the authority to investigate.  

Mr. Bonta, I respectfully request that you commence an investigation into LA’s election to ensure that processes were compliant with State Law.  

A thorough, independent inquiry by your office would serve the public interest by:

• Reviewing the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s handling of ballots, including mail ballot processing, curing procedures, and post-election canvass activities;
• Examining safeguards against ineligible voting and the maintenance of accurate voter rolls;
• Assessing whether all legal requirements for ballot security, observer access, and audit protocols were fully observed;
• Evaluating any credible reports or allegations of irregularities that have surfaced during and after the primary count;
• Providing recommendations to strengthen processes ahead of the November general election.

Public confidence in election outcomes is essential to our democracy. An official state-level inquiry, conducted transparently with findings made available to the public, would help clarify facts, address legitimate concerns, and reinforce trust in California’s electoral system—regardless of the ultimate results.

Please respond to this correspondence by close of business July 13, 2026, with a response indicating your office will investigate these serious election concerns.

Sincerely, 

Roxanne Hoge
Chairman, Republican Party of Los Angeles County