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Chad Bianco, the Republican sheriff of Riverside county, has been ordered to return approximately 650,000 ballots seized during an investigation into alleged voting irregularities. California’s supreme court ruled on Thursday that the seizure was unlawful, delivering a major decision about election security and the authority of law enforcement agencies.
The ballots came from a November 2025 special election concerning statewide congressional redistricting. The measure, promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom, passed comfortably across California and won in Riverside county by roughly 80,000 votes.
Chad Bianco faces a critical court order
In February, Chad Bianco confiscated the election materials after receiving a complaint from a local citizens group that the vote count was inaccurate. Local election officials had already described the complaint as unfounded.
The sheriff said the materials were taken as part of a criminal investigation. However, California Attorney General Rob Bonta argued that Bianco had no legal authority to remove voted ballots from election officials’ custody. Bonta ordered the ballots returned, but the sheriff did not comply, prompting a legal battle that reached the state’s highest court.
In a unanimous decision, the supreme court said California law requires voted ballots to remain under the custody and control of election officials, including when a criminal investigation is underway. The court directed Bianco to return the ballots and said he “must refrain from further handling” them except as necessary to comply with the ruling.
- Approximately 650,000 ballots were seized.
- The ballots came from a November 2025 special election.
- The supreme court found the seizure unlawful.
- Bianco must return the materials and stop handling them.
Why the California ballot case matters
The ruling has attracted attention well beyond Riverside county. Election officials and voting rights advocates have been monitoring the dispute as concerns grow about possible interference with election materials before November voting.
The case also arrives amid continuing political arguments over election fraud. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly challenged the results of the 2020 election while citing unsubstantiated claims. The federal government also seized ballots and other election documents from an office in Georgia in January, adding to concerns among voting rights groups about the handling of election records.
Critics of the Riverside seizure said it risked undermining public confidence in elections. They argued that removing ballots without clear legal authority could encourage conspiracy theories and create confusion about whether votes were safely counted.
The University of California, Los Angeles Voting Rights Project separately sued Chad Bianco and the Riverside county registrar of voters on behalf of several Riverside county voters. California’s attorney general also pursued the case, warning that the seizure could damage trust in the state’s election system.
Newsom announces stronger election protections
Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the decision, saying the ruling showed that California would defend democracy through every branch of government. He said voters deserve confidence that their ballots are secure and properly counted.
Newsom also pointed to legislation he signed the previous week. The new law is designed to prevent individuals from seizing ballots in the manner described in the Bianco case.
“The new laws I signed just last week add new protections so attacks like this cannot happen again,” Newsom said.
For election administrators, the decision reinforces the importance of maintaining a clear chain of custody. Ballots are not simply investigative evidence; they are official election records subject to detailed procedures and safeguards.
What happens next for Chad Bianco?
Chad Bianco did not immediately comment on the supreme court’s ruling. The order requires him to return the ballots and limits any further handling of them. The decision also sets a strong legal precedent for how California officials must treat voted materials during investigations.
Bianco was running for governor when the ballot dispute emerged, but he did not advance through the primary. His actions have nevertheless placed Riverside county at the center of a national debate over election administration, law enforcement powers and voter confidence.
As November elections approach, voting rights organizations are expected to continue watching how election materials are protected. The California ruling could become an important reference point if similar attempts to obtain or investigate ballots arise elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Chad Bianco?
Chad Bianco is the Republican sheriff of Riverside county, California. He became involved in the ballot dispute after seizing election materials during an investigation into alleged voting irregularities.
How many ballots did Chad Bianco seize?
Bianco seized approximately 650,000 ballots from a November 2025 special election focused on congressional redistricting.
What did California’s supreme court decide?
The court unanimously ruled that the seizure was unlawful and ordered Bianco to return the ballots. It also directed him to refrain from further handling them except to comply with the order.
Why is the ruling important?
The decision reinforces that voted ballots must remain under election officials’ custody and control. It also addresses concerns about election security, legal authority and public trust.
