California sheriff running for governor seizes >650k 2025 election ballots

5 hours ago

Chad Bianco, a Republican sheriff running for governor in California, seized over 650,000 ballots from last year's election.
Bianco claims the seizure is part of an investigation into alleged unlawful ballot casting related to Proposition 50, which redrew congressional districts favoring Democrats.
Election officials and California Attorney General Rob Bonta dismissed the allegations, noting only a 103-vote discrepancy in Riverside County.
Bianco obtained the ballots via search warrants, with a special master appointed to recount them.
A local group, Riverside Election Integrity Team, alleged a 45,896-vote discrepancy, but Bonta stated there's no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Bonta criticized Bianco's actions as unprecedented and aimed at sowing election distrust.
Bianco is a prominent Republican in California's top-two primary system, competing against multiple Democrats.
Bonta has repeatedly warned Bianco's office about unqualified recount efforts, calling the ballot seizure 'unacceptable' and dangerous.
California voters passed a redistricting initiative in response to GOP-led gerrymandering in states like Texas, upheld by the Supreme Court.

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