California Sheriff Running for Governor Seizes Over 500,000 Ballots

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco claims a ballot count discrepancy, but officials dispute the allegations.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:33pm

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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate for California governor, has seized more than 500,000 ballots cast in a November 2025 special election, claiming a ballot count discrepancy. County election officials have disputed Bianco's claims, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta has called Bianco's move "unprecedented" and designed to "sow distrust in elections".

Why it matters

Bianco's actions raise concerns about the integrity of elections and the potential for political interference in the democratic process. As a candidate for governor, his seizure of ballots could be seen as an attempt to undermine the results of an election that went against his party's interests.

The details

Bianco claims his office launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from a local citizens group about the ballot count from a November 2025 special election on redistricting. In that election, voters approved a measure to redraw congressional district lines to favor Democrats. Bianco seized nearly 1,000 boxes of ballots and elections materials from the county's elections office with a warrant in February, citing a discrepancy between handwritten ballot intake logs and the number of votes reported to the state.

  • Bianco seized the ballots in February 2026.
  • The November 2025 special election on redistricting took place in November 2025.

The players

Chad Bianco

The Republican sheriff of Riverside County, California, who is running for governor.

Rob Bonta

The Democratic Attorney General of California, who has called Bianco's actions "unprecedented" and designed to "sow distrust in elections".

Riverside County Elections Office

The county elections office that disputes Bianco's claims of a ballot count discrepancy.

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What they’re saying

“This investigation is simple: Physically count the ballots and compare that result with the total votes reported.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff

“I have a duty to investigate alleged crime in Riverside County.”

— Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff

“The ballot seizure was 'unacceptable' and 'sets a dangerous precedent and will only sow distrust in our elections'.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

What’s next

A judge has appointed a special master to oversee the continued ballot counting and investigation.

The takeaway

Bianco's actions as a candidate for governor raise serious concerns about the potential for political interference in the democratic process. The seizure of ballots and allegations of discrepancies, despite refutations from election officials, could undermine public trust in the integrity of elections.