A Republican sheriff in California has seized more ballot materials, sparking a conflict with state lawmakers over alleged voter fraud claims. Chad Bianco, Riverside county sheriff and gubernatorial candidate, seized 426 more boxes of ballots this week amid a legal dispute over the confiscation of 650,000 ballots from a previous special election. The move has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including California’s Democratic attorney general Rob Bonta.
Bianco’s actions have resulted in lawsuits, including one filed with the California supreme court by voters represented by the UCLA Voting Rights Project. The lawsuit aims to halt his recount of last year’s vote on Proposition 50, a measure to redraw California’s congressional districts in Democrats’ favor.
The allegations of voter fraud stem from a discrepancy claimed by a local group, the Riverside Election Integrity Team, which alleged a significant difference in vote counts. However, state officials have refuted this claim, stating the actual difference is minimal.
Attorney General Bonta has disputed the voter fraud claims and filed a lawsuit against the sheriff. He accused Bianco of launching an unjustified criminal investigation without sufficient evidence to obtain search warrants at the registrar of voters. Bonta raised concerns about the legality of the search warrants and urged Bianco to pause the investigation to avoid undermining public trust in election oversight.
Shirley Weber, California’s secretary of state, also criticized Bianco’s actions, stating they lack credible evidence and risk eroding public confidence in elections.
Despite legal challenges, a three-judge panel denied Bonta’s attempt to stop Bianco’s ballot recount, suggesting the attorney general seek resolution through a lower court.
In a separate lawsuit filed by the UCLA Voting Rights Project, voters called for an immediate halt to Bianco’s investigation, claiming it impairs the attorney general’s duties.
An investigation by Democracy Docket revealed Bianco’s online promotion of anti-voting rhetoric, including comments suggesting certain individuals should not vote and accusing Democrats of benefiting from unlawful voting practices.
Bianco’s office has defended his actions, accusing the attorney general’s office of hindering a lawful investigation and criticizing the California government for alleged corruption.
