California Supreme Court orders sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots

The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco broke state election law when his office seized more than 650,000 ballots from the county registrar in February. The ballots came from a November 2025 special election on congressional redistricting that passed statewide and in Riverside County by about 80,000 votes.

The court ordered Bianco to end his investigation and return the ballots to election officials, stating that California law mandates voted ballots remain under the custody of election administrators even during a criminal probe. Justices also ruled that Attorney General Rob Bonta has the authority to direct the sheriff to comply, rejecting Bianco's argument that a search warrant justified the seizure.

“The state's chief law enforcement officer ... must remain a mere bystander to an unprecedented sheriff's investigation of undeniable statewide significance. As we have explained, that is not the case.”

Bianco, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for governor this year, claimed the seizure was prompted by a citizen complaint alleging an incorrect tally. Local election officials had previously determined the complaint was unfounded. Bonta filed suit immediately after the seizure, arguing it undermined election integrity.

Voting rights advocates called the rulings a legal and moral victory, warning that Bianco's actions could have served as a playbook for other law enforcement officers seeking to disrupt the upcoming November midterm elections. The court noted the Elections Code provides legal mechanisms to review ballots without compromising their integrity.