On 2026-09-24, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco unlawfully seized more than 650,000 ballots during an investigation. The court ordered their immediate return to election officials; Bianco, a Republican who lost a 2026 gubernatorial race, violated state election law.
The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously on September 24, 2026 that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco unlawfully seized approximately 650,000 ballots from a November 2025 special election and must return them. The court affirmed the state's authority over local law enforcement on election matters.