Local & Community
Unsealed Warrants Reveal How Bianco's Ballot Probe Began, But Name No Crime and No Suspect
Search warrants tied to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's investigation into the 2025 special election have been unsealed, offering the public its first look at the legal foundation behind the seizure of thousands of county ballots.
The newly released documents show the investigation began after deputies were contacted by a local election integrity group. However, the warrants do not specify any suspected crime, and no suspect has been named.
The probe has been at the center of a heated legal fight between Bianco and California Attorney General Rob Bonta ever since the sheriff used those warrants to seize thousands of ballots and election-related documents from Riverside County. Bonta has pushed to shut the investigation down entirely, while Bianco has defended it as a lawful inquiry into alleged voter fraud. The dispute has now reached the state's highest court.
Earlier this week, the California Supreme Court agreed to take up the case while ordering Bianco to pause his investigation in the meantime. Under the court's order, Bonta has until April 15 to refile his petition seeking to end the probe. Bianco then has 30 days after that to file his response justifying the investigation. Both sides are also working to resolve questions about how to preserve the thousands of seized ballots while the case plays out.
At the county level, a Riverside County Superior Court judge has approved an expedited timeline for Bonta's separate case against Bianco. That next court date is set for April 13 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 9, 2026
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