California Supreme Court rules Sheriff Bianco illegally seized ballots
Governor Newsom vows election protections after court finds Riverside County official unlawfully seized hundreds of thousands of ballots.
What to know
- California Supreme Court ruled Sheriff Bianco's seizure of hundreds of thousands of ballots from the 2025 Proposition 50 election was unlawful, finding no evidence of voter fraud.
- Governor Newsom signed a 13-bill election protection package the week before the ruling to prevent similar ballot seizures and attacks on democracy.
- The ruling affirms California's use of all branches of government to defend the democratic process and protect voters' right to have ballots counted and secured.
“After the 2025 special election for Proposition 50, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco illegally seized hundreds of thousands of ballots in an attempt to claim and prove voter fraud (no evidence was ever provided).”
Governor of California, State office · Governor of California official statement ↗ · Sep 23
Governor Gavin Newsom Governor of California
Chad Bianco Riverside County SheriffCalifornia Supreme Court State court
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles
-
1
Governor Newsom affirms election protections after ruling
Governor Newsom released a statement in response to the court ruling, stating that California will defend democracy using every branch of government. He noted that he had signed a 13-bill election protection package the previous week to prevent similar attacks on democracy.
“Today's ruling affirms that in California we will defend democracy — using every branch of government.”
— Governor Gavin Newsom -
background
California Supreme Court rules seizure unlawful — The California Supreme Court determined in Cervantes v. Bianco that Sheriff Bianco's seizure of the ballots was unlawful. The ruling found no evidence of voter fraud was ever provided to justify the seizure.
-
background
Sheriff Bianco seizes ballots after Proposition 50 election — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized hundreds of thousands of ballots from the 2025 special election for Proposition 50, claiming to investigate voter fraud.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
-
2 outlets Governor Newsom on the California Supreme Court ruling Sheriff Bianco illegally seized ballots
first by California State Portal | CA.gov, 4d ago · also Governor of California