California Sheriff Investigates Election Ballot Discrepancy Amid Governor Campaign

Sun Mar 22 2026 20:24:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has seized over 500,000 ballots amid allegations of a voting discrepancy in a November special election. This unprecedented move raises questions about election integrity as Bianco runs for governor.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is campaigning for governor, has taken over half a million ballots as he investigates a reported discrepancy in the ballot count from a special election last November. The move has drawn criticism from state officials and Democrats, who argue it undermines trust in election processes. Bianco claims the investigation is necessary to ensure accurate voting results, while elections officials maintain the reported discrepancies are minor. Bianco's actions have sparked controversy in a state where election integrity is a heated topic, especially following past claims of voter fraud during the Trump administration.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A California sheriff running for governor has seized more than half a million ballots cast in a November special election from county election officials, saying he is investigating a ballot count discrepancy.

County elections officials have disputed the claims by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, has labeled Bianco's actions as unprecedented and designed to create distrust in the electoral process.

Bianco initiated the investigation after a complaint from a local citizens group raised concerns about the ballot count from a November 2025 special election related to redistricting.

The measure in that election passed by over 80,000 votes, leading to the drawing of congressional district lines that benefit Democrats in upcoming midterms.

While Bianco claims the effort aims at transparent voting, opponents stress that it spreads fear regarding election integrity.

Bianco, also a prominent Republican in a heavily Democratic California, insists he is merely fulfilling his duty to investigate potential fraud.