An investigation into election fraud allegations initiated by a California sheriff who is running for governor is on pause.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized more than half a million ballots that were cast in a November 2025 special election as part of his fact-finding mission into ballot count discrepancies.
“We are on hold because of the politically motivated lawsuits and court filings,” Riverside County Sheriff's public information officer Lieutenant Deirdre Vickers told NTD on March 31.
Bianco is campaigning for governor as a Republican and the party primary is on June 2.
Although he faces competition from other GOP candidates, he has denied seizing the ballots for political visibility.
“I have a duty to investigate alleged crime in Riverside County,” Bianco said.
Other GOP gubernatorial candidates include Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, prior candidate Leo Zacky, and businessman Randeep Dhillon.
The 650,000 ballots in question were seized from county officials last month after warrants were approved on Feb. 9 and 23.
A special master was appointed by a judge to supervise the recount being conducted by Riverside County sheriff’s officials, according to Bianco.
“We are conducting a lawful investigation, approved by a judge,” Bianco said after seizing an additional 426 boxes of election materials last week. “I think the failed democratic candidates are just trying to rally a base for their own political benefit.”
Democrat candidates running for governor include former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, and current Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell.
In the November 2025 special election, more than 80,000 voters tipped the scale toward redrawing Congressional district lines in favor of Democrats.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project have since filed separate legal challenges, both alleging that Bianco has no authority, as sheriff, over election materials.
"The Sheriff’s misguided investigation threatens to sow distrust and jeopardize public confidence in the upcoming primary and general elections, not just in Riverside County but around the State," Bonta stated in his petition. “It also sets a dangerous precedent that could invite future attempts to improperly contest election results through a misuse of law enforcement authority and the criminal process.”
The UCLA Voting Rights Project requests an order from the state Supreme Court requiring Bianco to return the ballots.
“Our election law is clear that voted ballots are to remain in the custody of election officials, and nothing the sheriff has presented changes that basic rule,” UCLA Voting Rights Project attorney Sonni Waknin said.