Appeals Court Clears Path for Riverside Ballot Probe Amid Clash Between Bianco and Bonta

An investigation led by Chad Bianco into alleged voter fraud in Riverside County is moving forward after a legal challenge from Rob Bonta was rejected by a state appeals court.

The Attorney General’s office had filed an emergency petition seeking to block the sheriff’s department from personally recounting ballots cast during the 2025 special election. However, the court denied the request, allowing Bianco’s office to proceed with its investigation—for now. State officials emphasized the ruling was based on procedural grounds, not the merits of the case, and indicated further legal action is likely.

The probe stems from claims made by the Riverside Election Integrity Team, which alleges discrepancies between ballots cast and ballots counted. The group claims more than 611,000 ballots were cast, while over 657,000 were counted. County officials have disputed those claims, attributing the difference to a misunderstanding of how votes are processed and tabulated.

Bianco has defended the investigation, stating its goal is to confirm whether election systems functioned properly. He also sharply criticized Bonta’s attempt to halt the inquiry, calling it politically motivated. According to Bianco, if the numbers ultimately align, it will reinforce confidence in the county’s election process. If not, he says further investigative steps—including additional warrants—may follow.

In February, the sheriff’s department executed search warrants to seize approximately 1,000 boxes of ballot materials tied to the November 2025 special election. The Attorney General’s office is expected to continue pursuing legal avenues as the dispute unfolds.