---
title: "California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff to Return Seized Ballots"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/california-supreme-court-orders-sheriff-to-return-seized-ballots"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/california-supreme-court-orders-sheriff-to-return-seized-ballots"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/california-supreme-court-orders-sheriff-to-return-seized-ballots.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/california-supreme-court-orders-sheriff-to-return-seized-ballots"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-24T19:05:29.045Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-24T18:00:50.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-24T19:05:29.045Z"
trust_score: 60
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-24T20:15:13.593832+00:00"
---

# California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff to Return Seized Ballots

*Court rules Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco unlawfully seized 650,000 ballots from a special election.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 23 digests corroborate the central claim, with specific figures and attribution.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, with affected parties and context provided.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are direct, but some use loaded language like 'massive election fraud investigation'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The California Supreme Court has ordered Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return about 650,000 ballots seized from a November 2025 special election.
- Sheriff Bianco seized the ballots as part of a criminal investigation following a complaint about the vote count, though election officials stated the complaint was unfounded.
- The court ruled Bianco's seizure was unlawful, upholding legal challenges brought by Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project.
- Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that would prevent similar ballot seizures in the future.

The California Supreme Court has ordered Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return approximately 650,000 ballots seized from a November 2025 special election. The court unanimously ruled that Bianco's seizure of the ballots was unlawful and that he must refrain from further handling of the materials. Bianco, a Republican, had seized the ballots in February as part of a criminal investigation after a citizens group complained the vote count was inaccurate. Local election officials had previously stated the complaint was unfounded.

Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a legal challenge, arguing the sheriff lacked the authority to seize election materials and that the action was intended to sow distrust in the electoral process. The University of California, Los Angeles Voting Rights Project also sued the sheriff on behalf of Riverside County voters. The court heard arguments in both cases last month. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would prevent anyone from seizing ballots in the manner Sheriff Bianco did.

## Disagreement on Sheriff's Authority

The California Supreme Court ruled that Sheriff Bianco's seizure of ballots was unlawful. Spectrum News reported that Bianco's representative, Bradley Hertz, argued the sheriff had a legal duty to open a criminal investigation and followed the penal code by issuing search warrants. Hertz stated Bianco had not returned the ballots because they were considered "evidence."

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated reports mention the University of California, Los Angeles Voting Rights Project's lawsuit against Sheriff Bianco on behalf of Riverside County voters. None of the right-rated reports mention the specific date Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill preventing ballot seizures.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 35 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 46% (16)
- Centre: 48% (17)
- Right: 6% (2)

8 of 43 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-24T20:15:13.593832+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-24T20:45:08.508Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports highlighted the California Supreme Court's ruling that Sheriff Chad Bianco's seizure of ballots was unlawful. The Independent (US) stated the court ruled against Bianco's "massive election fraud investigation." Los Angeles Times reported the court found the seizure "unlawful." USA Today noted the sheriff broke the law by seizing the ballots after allegations of vote count irregularities. Courthouse News Service described the ruling as justices "slapping down" the sheriff over a "ballot grab."

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the California Supreme Court's order for Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return the 650,000 seized ballots. Spectrum News reported the court's unanimous decision, stating Bianco must "refrain from further handling of the ballots except as necessary to comply with our order." WFMZ and The Record, citing the Associated Press, reported a Republican California sheriff must return more than a half-million ballots seized for an investigation into "unfounded voting improprieties." KPBS noted the ruling came six weeks before the November midterm election.

### Right

- Right-rated reports noted the California Supreme Court ruled against Sheriff Chad Bianco in the ballot seizure case. The Gateway Pundit stated the court ruled against Sheriff Bianco's "massive election fraud investigation" and sided with the state's "far-left attorney general." The OC Register reported the court found the sheriff's seizure of ballots "unlawful" and that Attorney General Rob Bonta was justified in ordering him to stop the probe.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 1
- high: 12
- unknown: 9
- veryHigh: 20

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [randomlengthsnews.com](https://randomlengthsnews.com/archives/2026/09/24/unlawfully-seized-ballots/77696) — California Sheriff Unlawfully Seized Over 650,000 Ballots Court Rules
- [Telemundo 52](https://telemundo52.com/noticias/local/corte-suprema-de-california-ordena-al-sheriff-del-condado-de-riverside-devolver-boletas-electorales-incautadas/2898907) — California Supreme Court Orders Riverside County Sheriff to Return Seized Ballots
- [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/politics/elections/california-supreme-court-orders-gop-sheriff-return-650000-ballots-rcna599695) — California Supreme Court orders GOP sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [LancasterOnline](https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650-000-seized-ballots/article_f2f43a68-c516-5f8e-b6c9-a54564057997.html) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [CBS News](https://cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/california-supreme-court-riverside-county-chad-bianco-ballot-seizure-case) — California sheriff unlawfully seized over 650,000 ballots and must return them, state Supreme Court rules
- [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/news/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-unlawfully-seized-over-650000-ballots-and-must-return-them-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff unlawfully seized over 650,000 ballots and must return them, state Supreme Court rules
- [abc 7 LA](https://abc7.com/post/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-chad-bianco-return-650000-seized-ballots/19866667) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County Sheriff Bianco to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/california-supreme-court-rules-against-sheriff-bianco-massive) — California Supreme Court Rules Against Sheriff Bianco in Massive Election Fraud Investigation Related to Seizure of 650,000 Ballots * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila
- [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/maga-ca-sheriff-must-return-650000-seized-ballots) — MAGA CA Sheriff Must Return 650,000 Seized Ballots
- [WFMZ](https://wfmz.com/news/ap/ap-national/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650-000-seized-ballots/article_75ae5773-36bf-50d0-8cac-30a55c02bf0a.html) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-24/california-supreme-court-ruling-ballot-seizure) — Ballot seizure by Riverside County sheriff was 'unlawful,' California Supreme Court rules
- [Spectrum News](http://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/politics/2026/09/24/california-supreme-court-riverside-county-sheriff-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders return of seized ballots
- [Spectrum Local News](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/california/politics/2026/09/24/california-supreme-court-riverside-county-sheriff-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders return of seized ballots
- [KCRA 3](https://kcra.com/article/riverside-county-sheriff-return-ballots-california-supreme-court/73873381) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [KSBW](https://ksbw.com/article/california-supreme-court-riverside-ballot-seizure/73871627) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [WBAL](https://wbal.com/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650000-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650000-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650000-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [Bloomberg Law](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/california-high-court-says-sheriff-must-shut-down-ballot-inquiry) — California High Court Says Sheriff Must End Ballot Inquiry (1)
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/riverside-county-san-francisco-southern-california-donald-trump-gavin-newsom-b3055952.html) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/riverside-county-san-francisco-southern-california-donald-trump-gavin-newsom-b3055952.html) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/09/24/nation/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650000-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [KXL](https://kxl.com/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650000-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [The Desert Sun](https://desertsun.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/09/24/election-fraud-riverside-county-sheriff-california-supreme-court-chad-bianco/91910152007) — Sheriff's seizure of ballots ruled illegal by California Supreme Court
- [Cal Matters](https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/09/supreme-court-ruling-sheriff-ballot-seizure) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [Palo Alto Online](https://paloaltoonline.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [Danville San Ramon](https://danvillesanramon.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [Mountain View Voice](https://mv-voice.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [Redwood City Pulse](https://rwcpulse.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [pleasantonweekly.com](https://pleasantonweekly.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [livermorevine.com](https://livermorevine.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [The Almanac](https://almanacnews.com/calmatters/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [OC Register](https://ocregister.com/2026/09/24/california-supreme-court-rules-against-riverside-county-sheriff-chad-bianco-in-ballot-seizure-fight) — California Supreme Court rules against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in ballot seizure fight
- [LA Daily News](https://dailynews.com/2026/09/24/california-supreme-court-rules-against-riverside-county-sheriff-chad-bianco-in-ballot-seizure-fight) — California Supreme Court rules against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in ballot seizure fight
- [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/09/24/election-fraud-riverside-county-sheriff-california-supreme-court-chad-bianco/91910152007) — Sheriff's seizure of ballots ruled illegal by California Supreme Court
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650-000-seized-ballots/article_9003f78a-9be0-5caf-a011-fe63b30fd3f2.html) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/united-states/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650-000-seized-ballots/article_b2eace32-bfb1-5795-8686-6dd46af5de9b.html) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [KPBS](https://kpbs.org/news/politics/2026/09/24/california-sheriff-broke-election-law-by-seizing-ballots-state-supreme-court-rules) — California sheriff broke election law by seizing ballots, state Supreme Court rules
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/24/california-supreme-court-orders-riverside-county-sheriff-to-return-650000-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots
- [Fox 11 LA](https://foxla.com/news/california-supreme-court-orders-sheriff-chad-bianco-to-return-seized-ballots) — California Supreme Court orders Sheriff Bianco to return seized ballots
- [NBC LA](https://nbclosangeles.com/news/local/riverside-county-sheriff-chad-bianco-seized-election-ballots/3946779) — Riverside County sheriff must return seized election ballots, court says
- [Courthouse News Service](https://courthousenews.com/california-justices-slap-down-riverside-county-sheriff-over-ballot-grab) — California justices slap down Riverside County sheriff over ballot grab
- [KESQ](https://kesq.com/news/2026/09/23/ca-supreme-court-ballot-ruling) — California Supreme Court to rule Thursday in Bonta v. Bianco ballot seizure case

## Questions

**Why did Sheriff Chad Bianco seize the ballots?**

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized approximately 650,000 ballots from a November 2025 special election as part of a criminal investigation. He stated this action was taken after a citizens group complained the vote count was off, though local election officials had previously said the complaint was unfounded.

**What was the California Supreme Court's ruling?**

The California Supreme Court unanimously ordered Sheriff Chad Bianco to return the approximately 650,000 ballots he seized. The court ruled that the seizure was unlawful and that Bianco must refrain from further handling of the ballots, siding with legal challenges brought by the state's Attorney General and a voting rights group.

**Who challenged Sheriff Bianco's actions?**

Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a legal challenge, arguing the sheriff lacked authority over election materials and that the seizure was intended to sow distrust. The University of California, Los Angeles Voting Rights Project also sued the sheriff on behalf of Riverside County voters.

**What is the new law regarding ballot seizures?**

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would prevent anyone from seizing ballots in the manner Sheriff Bianco did. This legislation aims to safeguard election materials from similar actions in the future.

---

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