RIVERSIDE, Calif. (RTW News) — A California sheriff running for governor has seized over 500,000 ballots from a recent special election, citing an investigation into discrepancies in the ballot count.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, is facing momentum surrounding his controversial actions as he leads a campaign that many perceive as aimed at sowing distrust in the electoral process. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has labeled Bianco's moves as unprecedented and a dangerous precedent for elections.
Speaking at a recent news conference, Bianco detailed that his office began the investigation following a complaint from a local citizens group regarding the November 2025 special election which approved measures for redistricting. The measures purportedly passed by over 80,000 votes, altering congressional lines to benefit Democrats.
Bianco, a two-term sheriff in Riverside County—home to 2.5 million residents—described the ballot seizure as a “fact-finding mission.” He insists that the investigation, which involves comparing physically counted ballots to totals reported to the state, is separate from his gubernatorial aspirations.
“This investigation is simple: Physically count the ballots and compare that result with the total votes reported,” Bianco stated.
However, critics, including Bonta, argue that the motivation behind the seizure mirrors previous Republican narratives concerning electoral integrity, reminiscent of actions taken following the 2020 presidential election. Bonta emphasized that the ballot seizure raises concerns that could erode public confidence in California’s election system.
In a series of letters to Bianco, Bonta expressed concerns regarding the qualifications of Bianco's team to conduct a recount. He labeled the ballot seizure as “unacceptable,” warning it could lead to increased distrust in elections across the state.
The sheriff’s office, citing a reported discrepancy of nearly 45,800 votes between different counts, has been challenged by elections officials who maintain that the different tallies stem from minor errors rather than systemic issues. They clarified that discrepancies amounted to about 100 votes when comparing electronic counts to the final state submissions.
As Bianco continues his investigation under the oversight of a judge-appointed special master, Democrats are worried that internal divisions within their party could push Bianco into the November general election as a Republican candidate.
Leading Democrats in California have voiced concerns regarding their competition in the upcoming elections, fearing that their large field of candidates may fracture votes. Bianco's investigation into ballots is adding fuel to a heated political climate as California gears up for another contentious election cycle.
