Riverside County sheriff running for governor suspends election probe after seizing ballots

Chad Bianco cites mounting legal challenges from state attorney general and voting rights group

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate for California governor, has suspended his investigation into alleged election fraud after seizing more than 650,000 ballots from the 2025 election. Bianco's probe faced legal challenges from the state attorney general and a voting rights group, who argued the sheriff has no authority over election materials.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions around election integrity and the role of law enforcement in overseeing elections, especially as some Republican officials have echoed former President Trump's unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud. The dispute in Riverside County raises questions about the balance of power between state and local officials when it comes to election oversight.

The details

Bianco previously said the ballot seizure was legal and approved by a Riverside County judge. However, the state attorney general and the UCLA Voting Rights Project filed legal challenges, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials. Bianco seized an additional 426 boxes of ballots last week after being ordered by the attorney general's office to halt the probe, but has now suspended the investigation due to the mounting legal challenges.

  • In February, the ballot investigation began after a local citizens group filed a complaint about the ballot count from a November 2025 special election on redistricting.
  • Last month, local election officials told the county Board of Supervisors that the citizens group's complaint was unfounded.
  • Last week, the state attorney general ordered Bianco to stop the probe, but the sheriff seized more ballots in response.
  • On Saturday, Bianco announced he was suspending the election fraud investigation due to the legal challenges.

The players

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County sheriff and a Republican candidate for California governor who launched an investigation into alleged election fraud and seized more than 650,000 ballots from the 2025 election.

Rob Bonta

The Democratic Attorney General of California who launched legal challenges against Bianco's ballot seizure, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials.

UCLA Voting Rights Project

A voting rights group that filed a petition on behalf of Riverside County voters, asking the state Supreme Court to order Bianco to return the seized ballots.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our election law is clear that voted ballots are to remain in the custody of election officials, and nothing the sheriff has presented changes that basic rule.”

— Sonni Waknin, Attorney, UCLA Voting Rights Project

“Our focus is on what the Sheriff does, not what he says.”

— Spokesperson, California Attorney General's Office

What’s next

The California Attorney General's Office and the UCLA Voting Rights Project will continue their legal challenges against Bianco's ballot seizure, with the state Supreme Court expected to play a key role in resolving the dispute over election oversight.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions around election integrity and the delicate balance of power between state and local officials when it comes to overseeing elections. As some Republican leaders continue to raise unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, the Riverside County dispute underscores the importance of upholding established election laws and procedures to maintain public trust in the democratic process.