California Supreme Court Halts Bianco's Ballot Investigation, Takes Up AG's Case

The California Supreme Court stepped in today, agreeing to hear California Attorney General Rob Bonta's challenge to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's ballot investigation and ordering the investigation stopped in the meantime.

The case stems from the November 2025 special election, when Bianco seized 650,000 ballots, citing claims of counting irregularities. Bonta moved quickly to stop the investigation, filing cases at both the county and state level and arguing the Sheriff had no legal authority to conduct it.

With today's order, Bonta now has until April 15 to formally present his case before the Supreme Court. Bianco will then have 30 days to respond after that filing is made.

In a statement provided to NBC Palm Springs, Bonta was direct: "Today's decision by the California Supreme Court reins in the destabilizing actions of a rogue Sheriff, prohibiting him from continuing this investigation while our litigation continues."

Our newsroom has reached out to Bianco’s legal team for comment, and we are still awaiting a response. 

In the meantime, Bonta's county-level case against Bianco is also moving forward on an accelerated schedule. That next hearing is set for April 13 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.