CA Sheriff Doubles Down On Seizing Ballots As State Supreme Court Deliberates

A high-stakes election integrity fight in California has reached the state’s highest court, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco refusing to surrender roughly 650,000 ballots seized during an investigation into the 2025 special election — despite Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta demanding their return.

The California Supreme Court heard arguments Monday over whether Bianco acted within his legal authority when his department took possession of ballots cast in Riverside County during the November 2025 election involving Proposition 50, the state’s controversial congressional redistricting measure.

Bianco has remained unapologetic, insisting his department received a complaint that required investigation and that the seizure was lawful.

“I did this, and this was legal,” Bianco told reporters.