Chad Bianco news
The gist
California's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco broke the law by seizing over 650,000 ballots.
The ruling orders the ballots returned six weeks before the midterm election.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2025California held a special election on Proposition 50 congressional redistricting; the measure backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom passed statewide and won in Riverside County by about 80,000 votes.
- Feb 2026Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized approximately 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 special election.
- Mar 2026Bianco ignored directives from Attorney General Rob Bonta to hold off on executing a search warrant to seize the ballots, then said in late March he would pause his investigation because of politically motivated lawsuits and court filings.