California Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Sheriff's Authority to Seize Ballots Amid Voter Fraud Allegations
The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of 650,000 ballots in an investigation into alleged voter fraud. Justice Goodwin H. Liu questioned Bianco's attorney, Bradley W. Hertz, on the sheriff's interpretation of state election law, particularly concerning the custody of ballots during criminal investigations versus prosecutions. Sheriff Bianco maintains that his investigation was lawfully conducted under a judicially-approved search warrant and that state law does not prohibit such actions during an investigation. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of voters are challenging Bianco's actions, arguing that the sheriff violated state election laws and that only a grand jury or local board of supervisors can initiate such a review of ballots. The arguments are taking place against the backdrop of the 2026 midterm elections and a broader national trend of election skepticism. 
