California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff to Return Seized Ballots

The California Supreme Court has ordered Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return approximately 650,000 ballots he seized for an investigation into alleged voting improprieties during a special election in November 2025. The court declared the seizure unlawful, stating that California law mandates ballots remain under the control of election officials, even during investigations.

Bianco, a Republican, seized the ballots from a special election concerning statewide congressional redistricting, a measure that ultimately passed and was supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The measure also won in Bianco's county by a significant margin.

In a statement, Bianco indicated he would comply with the court's order but expressed disappointment, stating, "We are very disappointed and wholeheartedly disagree with the court’s ruling." He added that he "will not obey the message behind them — that local law enforcement works for Sacramento, not for the people who elected us."

Bianco's investigation began after a local citizens group reported a discrepancy between the number of ballots cast and the number received for Proposition 50, the measure that redrew California's congressional districts. The group claimed a gap of about 45,000 votes. However, Riverside County Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco stated the group misread the data and the actual gap was 103, which is within the acceptable margin of error.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, had initiated a legal challenge immediately after the seizure, arguing that the sheriff lacked the authority to seize election materials and that his actions were intended to undermine confidence in the electoral process. Bonta had ordered Bianco to return the ballots, but the sheriff did not comply until the state Supreme Court's intervention.

"The Court has now made clear that this kind of defiance cannot stand, that the Attorney General has the authority to intervene when sheriffs take improper action, and that voted ballots belong in the custody of elections officials," Bonta said.

The state Supreme Court's decision also affirmed the Attorney General's authority over county sheriffs, ruling that the Attorney General's orders are binding. Bianco had contended that the Attorney General's role was advisory.

The ruling comes amid broader concerns about election integrity, particularly following President Donald Trump's repeated challenges to the 2020 election results. Election officials and civil rights organizations have been closely monitoring cases like Bianco's, anticipating potential attempts to seize ballots in the upcoming November elections.

Bianco briefly began a recount of the seized ballots under a special master but suspended it due to legal challenges. The court clarified that while law enforcement can investigate suspected election misconduct, search warrants do not supersede state electoral laws designed to protect ballot integrity.

"These are the voters’ ballots. They must be protected through the processes the Legislature has established. This ruling provides important clarity for election officials, law enforcement, and voters across California," said Chad Dunn, legal director and co-founder of the UCLA Voting Rights Project, which was involved in a lawsuit against the sheriff.

Separately, on Saturday, Governor Newsom signed a bill aimed at preventing the seizure of ballots.