Independence, California Public Records

The bond and bail process follows California state guidelines, allowing for the release of inmates pending trial under certain conditions. Recently arrested individuals can be located by contacting the jail directly or through the online inmate search tool.

Law enforcement in Independence is primarily provided by the Inyo County Sheriff's Department. This agency is responsible for patrolling the community, responding to emergency calls, and investigating criminal activity within the 93526 ZIP code area. The Sheriff's Department works closely with the local community to ensure public safety and maintain a high quality of life for residents.

Independence voters are served by the Inyo County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters, located at 168 N. Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526, phone (760) 878-0224, website www.inyocounty.us/services/clerk-recorder. This office administers all federal, state, county, and special district elections for Inyo County residents. California residents can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov, by mail using a paper registration form, or in person at the county elections office. The voter registration deadline is 15 days before any election, though California offers conditional voter registration allowing eligible citizens to register and vote up through Election Day at the county elections office or designated vote centers. Independence is an unincorporated community and does not hold separate municipal elections for mayor or city council; residents vote in Inyo County Supervisorial District elections, state legislative races, and federal elections. The Inyo County Board of Supervisors has five members elected by district; Independence is in District 2. Independence residents can find their assigned polling place or vote center location by visiting the California Secretary of State's polling place lookup at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place or by contacting the Inyo County elections office. In the November 2024 presidential election, Inyo County reported voter turnout of approximately 68-72%, with roughly 6,500-7,000 ballots cast from the county's approximately 9,500 registered voters. On November 3, 2026, Independence and Inyo County voters will decide several important races including the California gubernatorial election (Governor Gavin Newsom's term ends in 2027; 2026 is the gubernatorial election year), U.S. Senate (no California U.S. Senate seat is scheduled for election in 2026 based on current terms), California State Assembly and State Senate seats representing Inyo County, county offices including Sheriff, Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Treasurer-Tax Collector, and District Attorney (depending on term schedules), and potentially Board of Supervisors seats depending on district rotation. California allows any registered voter to request a vote-by-mail ballot; applications can be submitted online through the county elections website, by phone, by mail, or in person. Once a voter requests vote-by-mail status, they will automatically receive a ballot for all future elections unless they opt out. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days to be counted, or they can be dropped off at any vote center or secure ballot drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Public election records in California include voter registration lists (available for political and election-related purposes only), campaign finance reports (filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission and searchable at cal-access.sos.ca.gov), candidate statements and filings (available from the county elections office), and precinct-level election results (published by the county after certification). Voter history (whether someone voted, but not how they voted) is public information; actual ballot choices are confidential.