California Secretary Of State Criticizes Riverside Sheriff's Election Investigation

The state election official says the sheriff's actions 'fuel election conspiracy theories' and are 'not normal behavior'.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The California Secretary of State's Office has confirmed that the Riverside County Sheriff's Office seized ballots from last November's special statewide election, calling the sheriff's actions 'highly questionable' and 'not normal behavior.' The secretary of state said the sheriff's investigation is fueling election conspiracy theories and eroding public confidence in elections.

Why it matters

The secretary of state's criticism of the sheriff's actions highlights growing tensions between election officials and law enforcement over the handling of election processes. This case could set a concerning precedent if sheriffs or other law enforcement officials take it upon themselves to investigate elections without proper jurisdiction or evidence of wrongdoing.

The details

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office seized ballots from last November's special statewide election, citing 'alleged election irregularities.' However, the California Secretary of State's Office said the sheriff's actions 'fuel election conspiracy theories' and are 'not normal behavior' for a sheriff, as they are not elections officials and not equipped to handle such investigations. The secretary of state said the sheriff's investigation is similar to debunked federal probes in Georgia and Arizona.

  • The Riverside County Sheriff's Office seized the ballots in March 2026.
  • The California Secretary of State's Office confirmed the sheriff's actions on March 11, 2026.

The players

California Secretary of State's Office

The state agency responsible for overseeing and administering elections in California.

Riverside County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency for Riverside County, California that seized ballots from the November 2025 special statewide election.

Sheriff Chad Bianco

The sheriff of Riverside County, California who defended the department's investigation into alleged election irregularities.

Supervisor Jose Medina

A member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors who called on Sheriff Bianco to take a leave of absence during his gubernatorial campaign.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It is precisely this type of action by the sheriff that fuels election conspiracy theories that erode confidence in our nation's elections. This is not normal behavior for any sheriff — and for good reason. They are not elections officials nor equipped to handle these types of investigations.”

— California Secretary of State's Office

“I would think the Secretary of State would want answers. Ignoring questions and destroying ballots before any questions can be answered is a concern for the public. I work for them, not the Secretary of State.”

— Sheriff Chad Bianco

What’s next

The California Secretary of State's Office said it will continue to provide support to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters' office as they navigate the sheriff's investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between election officials and law enforcement over the handling of election processes. It raises concerns about the potential for law enforcement overreach and the erosion of public confidence in the integrity of elections if sheriffs or other officials take it upon themselves to investigate elections without proper jurisdiction or evidence of wrongdoing.