California sheriff ordered to return about 650,000 ballots seized
California's Supreme Court ordered Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return roughly 650,000 ballots seized during an unlawful February operation.
OriginalSourceThe GuardianUnited KingdomLeanCenter-leftCredibilityPublished18:55 UTCRatings: AllSides, MBFCSourceThe GuardianUnited KingdomLeanCenter-leftCredibilityPublished18:55 UTCRatings: AllSides, MBFC
“California sheriff ordered to return ballots he confiscated in voter ‘fraud’ inquiry”
California sheriff ordered to return about 650,000 ballots seized
Key points
- Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized roughly 650,000 ballots in February.
- The ballots were taken during a probe of unfounded voting improprieties in a November 2025 special election.
- California Supreme Court ruled the seizure unlawful and ordered return of the ballots.
- The court mandated Bianco refrain from further handling the ballots beyond compliance with the order.
- Governor Newsom praised the ruling and signed a law to prevent ballot seizures.
Other reports
- SourceThe Washington PostUnited StatesLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Washington PostSourceThe Washington PostUnited StatesLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Washington Post
“California Supreme Court rules sheriff must return seized ballots”
- SourceAP NewsUnited StatesLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at AP NewsSourceAP NewsUnited StatesLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at AP News
How it got here
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Grouped with 2 other reports as story 4.
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4 4 California sheriff ordered to return about 650,000 ballots seized
California's Supreme Court ordered Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return roughly 650,000 ballots seized during an unlawful February operation.