Republican Natasha Johnson held an early lead over Democrat Chris Shoults on Tuesday night, Aug. 26, in the special election to pick a replacement for ex-Inland Empire Assemblymember Bill Essayli.

Results posted by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. showed Johnson, a Lake Elsinore city councilmember, leading Shoults, a Menifee teacher, 54.2% to 45.8% in the 63rd Assembly District contest.

Like the June 24 primary for the 63rd, Tuesday’s special election is shaping up to have low voter turnout.

Of the almost 320,000 ballots mailed to voters, roughly 17% had been processed and deemed valid as of Tuesday morning, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.

By law, mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received b

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