Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stands firm as the California Supreme Court decides on the fate of approximately 650,000 ballots he seized from a November 2025 special election on redistricting. The court heard arguments from Bianco’s attorneys and the state of California, where Attorney General Rob Bonta initiated a legal challenge in March demanding the return of the ballots.
Bianco, however, maintains he had a duty to investigate after receiving a complaint. He stated, “I did this, and this was legal… it’s just their side doesn’t like the route I chose.”
Controversy Continues
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco attended the Supreme Court of California for a hearing regarding his ballot seizure on Monday, August 24, 2026, in San Francisco. Bianco’s lawyer, Bradley Hertz, emphasized to reporters that the ballots are being kept safely as evidence.
The sheriff is holding that evidence, safeguarding it as a custodian for the court, Hertz said.
These ballots are linked to a November 2025 special election where Proposition 50, a legislative redistricting measure, passed with over 3.4 million votes, per the California Secretary of State.
Bianco questioned the accuracy of the official count, suggesting discrepancies between machine tallies and the physical ballots. He expressed concern over the halt of the investigation by the Attorney General, which he says leaves questions unanswered.
Legal Implications
The legal contest involves Bianco’s unilateral actions, challenged by Bonta alongside the UCLA Voting Rights Project. Bonta accused Bianco of ignoring the California constitution that grants Bonta supervisory authority.
This is a sheriff that failed to comply with it,” Bonta stated.
Bianco countered, challenging Bonta’s interpretation, asserting that his actions were within his investigatory rights, unconstrained by Bonta’s oversight.
For further clarity, contact was made with various parties involved, including the UCLA Voting Rights Project, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Attorney General’s Office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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