Unsealed warrants expose Bianco's ballot-seizure move
Newly unsealed warrants show Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's 2025 ballot seizures were pursued with affidavits based on claims from an activist group rather than insider tips or forensic evidence; a judge signed warrants to seize about 650,000 ballots, but experts and opponents question whether probable cause was sufficiently demonstrated, and the DA's office reportedly did not review the affidavits. The California Supreme Court paused the probe and ordered disclosure, while Bianco defends the move as normal law enforcement; the registrar of voters disputed the activist claims, and critics warn the episode could politicize election oversight as Bianco runs for governor.