Tag

Chad Bianco

All articles tagged with #chad bianco

politics12 days ago•210 min saved

California Supreme Court voids sheriff's ballot seizure, setting national precedent for election security

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state law by seizing 650,000 ballots from the 2025 Proposition 50 election. The court ordered the immediate return of the materials to election officials, affirming that the Attorney General has direct supervisory authority over local sheriffs. This decision establishes a critical legal precedent as election officials prepare for the November 2026 midterms, with new state laws now criminalizing unlawful ballot seizures.

via CNN|

#ballot-custody #california-supreme-court #chad-bianco

politics14 days ago

California Supreme Court orders sheriff to return 650,000 ballots, ruling seizure unlawful

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state law by seizing approximately 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 redistricting election. The court ordered the immediate return of the ballots and affirmed the attorney general’s authority to direct local sheriffs. Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation imposing criminal penalties for future ballot seizures.

via Democracy Docket|

#california #chad-bianco #elections

politics15 days ago•20 min saved

California High Court Orders Sheriff to Return 650,000 Ballots, Affirming Election Officials' Custody

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco must return over 650,000 ballots he seized from the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election. The court determined that law enforcement lacks the authority to remove or count ballots outside of official election procedures, even during a criminal investigation. The ruling also affirmed that the state attorney general has the power to direct local sheriffs to pause investigations that conflict with state election laws. Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the decision, citing new legislation signed this month to prevent similar future seizures.

via The Washington Post|

#california-supreme-court #chad-bianco #election-integrity

politics15 days ago

California Supreme Court orders return of 650,000 ballots seized by Riverside sheriff

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state election law by seizing over 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero ordered Bianco to return the materials to the county registrar, stating that law enforcement cannot handle ballots in secret. The court also affirmed Attorney General Rob Bonta’s authority to halt the investigation, rejecting Bianco’s claim that he was acting as a mere bystander. Governor Gavin Newsom praised the decision and signed a bill to prevent future ballot seizures, while Bianco expressed disappointment and suggested possible appeals.

via The Guardian|

#california #chad-bianco #elections

california-politics15 days ago•4 min saved

California High Court Orders Sheriff to Return Seized Ballots, Citing Unlawful Election Interference

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state law by seizing over 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero ordered Bianco to immediately return all materials to the county registrar, stating that his actions compromised election integrity. The court also affirmed that Attorney General Rob Bonta had the authority to halt the sheriff’s investigation, rejecting Bianco’s claim that the state’s chief law enforcement officer could only advise local sheriffs. The decision comes weeks before the November 2026 midterm elections, prompting new state legislation to protect ballot custody.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-politics #california-supreme-court #chad-bianco

politics-california6 months ago•7 min saved

California GOP withholds endorsement in Trump-backed governor race

At California’s GOP convention, delegates declined to endorse Donald Trump’s pick for governor. Sheriff Chad Bianco led at 49% with Steve Hilton at 44%, but neither reached the 60% threshold needed for an endorsement, underscoring limited Trump influence in the state despite his backing. Delegates and insiders also weigh GOP prospects in midterms and national polarization surrounding Trump.

via Politico|

#california #chad-bianco #donald-trump

politics6 months ago•32 min saved

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.

via CalMatters|

#ballot-seizures #california-elections #chad-bianco

politics6 months ago•1 min saved

California sheriff halts Prop 50 voter-fraud probe amid lawsuits

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco paused his months-long independent probe into alleged Prop 50 voter irregularities amid politically charged lawsuits and court filings; he had seized more than 650,000 ballots, a move opposed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who asked the state Supreme Court to stop the investigation, arguing Bianco lacked authority. The dispute centers on tallies discrepancies claimed by the Riverside Election Integrity Team (reporting a 45,896 difference) versus officials' assertion of a 103-vote margin, and UCLA’s Voting Rights Project has filed suit, making the probe a political flashpoint in California ahead of the governor race.

via The Guardian|

#ballot-seizure #chad-bianco #election-integrity

politics6 months ago•6 min saved

Riverside Sheriff Halts Ballot-Fraud Probe Amid Court Battles

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco paused his controversial election-fraud probe after seizing more than 650,000 ballots from Proposition 50, as California Attorney General Rob Bonta challenged the effort as an unprecedented constitutional emergency and pressed for court intervention, with ongoing disputes over legal authority and ballot custody.

via Los Angeles Times|

#ballots #california-elections #chad-bianco

politics6 months ago•4 min saved

Ballot Seizure and a Gubernatorial Bid: Sheriff Bianco's California Controversy

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a leading GOP candidate for California governor, seized 650,000 ballots from a 2025 redistricting referendum as part of a criminal investigation, triggering a lawsuit and drawing scrutiny over his motives and ties to far‑right groups; critics say the action undermines election integrity and mirrors conspiracy-minded rhetoric, while Bianco argues it’s about counting total ballots and complying with a lawful inquiry.

via Democracy Docket|

#ballot-seizure #california-governor-race #chad-bianco

politics6 months ago•175 min saved

California sues to halt Riverside ballot seizure amid governor race

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and UCLA's Voting Rights Project filed suit to stop Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure and recount of Riverside County ballots, arguing the action violates state election laws and could undermine public trust ahead of the elections; Bianco says the investigation is legal with warrants and a court-supervised counting process, while officials dispute the ballot-count discrepancy.

via CNN|

#ballots #california #chad-bianco

politics6 months ago•7 min saved

Riverside sheriff widens ballot-seizure probe in GOP governor bid

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a leading GOP candidate for governor, added 426 boxes of ballot materials to his ongoing ‘fact-finding’ probe into alleged election fraud, expanding a seizure that has drawn pushback from California officials including Attorney General Rob Bonta. The UCLA Voting Rights Project has petitioned the California Supreme Court to require the materials’ return, arguing ballots must remain with the county registrar. Critics warn the investigation could erode trust in elections, while Bianco says warrants were judicially approved and aimed at verifying fraud allegations tied to Proposition 50.

via Los Angeles Times|

#ballot-seizure #california-elections #chad-bianco

politics6 months ago•21 min saved

Court rejects California bid to halt Riverside ballot recount led by Sheriff Bianco

A California appeals court denied Attorney General Rob Bonta’s request to stop Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s recount of roughly 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 election, saying the challenge should be filed in Riverside County court. Bianco, a gubernatorial candidate, characterized the probe as a fact-finding mission, while state officials questioned the warrants and probable cause behind the seizure and search for balloting records.

via CalMatters|

#california-elections #chad-bianco #politics

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Riverside Sheriff Endorses Trump Despite Felony Conviction

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco sarcastically endorses former President Donald Trump for the 2024 election, criticizing California's policies on crime and law enforcement. Bianco, appearing in uniform in a video, expresses frustration with what he sees as lenient treatment of criminals and suggests putting a felon in the White House. He also hints at a possible run for California Governor in 2026.

via KTLA Los Angeles|

#2024-election #california #chad-bianco

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Riverside Sheriff Endorses Trump, Calls for 'Felon in the White House'

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has endorsed Donald Trump for president, expressing his frustration with California's criminal justice policies and state leadership. Bianco criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta for their leniency on crime and support for early prisoner releases. His endorsement follows Trump's recent conviction on 34 felony counts in New York.

via CBS News|

#2024-election #california #chad-bianco