California sheriff ordered to return ballots he confiscated in voter ‘fraud’ inquiry
Court says Chad Bianco’s conduct unlawful and seizure of ballots ‘creates substantial risk to election integrity’
TL;DR
- California sheriff Chad Bianco must return over 650,000 confiscated ballots.
- The state supreme court ruled Bianco's department violated election law.
- The court stated that law enforcement's access to ballots creates a substantial risk to election integrity.
- The confiscation followed an inquiry into unsubstantiated fraud claims after a November 2025 special election.
- Democratic attorney general Rob Bonta challenged the seizure, which was supported by Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Newsom also signed a bill to prevent similar ballot seizures in the future.