Local & Community
County Officials Push Back on Sheriff Bianco’s Election Probe Amid Legal Battle
Tensions are rising in Riverside County as local leaders push back against Sheriff Chad Bianco and his investigation into alleged election irregularities.
At a press conference outside the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, Supervisor Jose Medina called for a formal investigation into what he described as a potential misuse of public resources tied to the sheriff’s probe.
The investigation centers on claims from a citizen group alleging a 45,000-ballot discrepancy in the 2025 special election. Sheriff Bianco has defended the inquiry, but it has drawn criticism and legal challenges from multiple officials.
An emergency court request, filed to halt the investigation, was canceled at the Riverside Hall of Justice, leaving uncertainty about the immediate next steps.
The Attorney General's Office tells NBC Palm Springs that they had multiple attorneys on the phone, instructed by the court, at the time directed by the court, claiming they were never taken off hold. The Attorney General's Office says the hearing is likely to be reset.
Meanwhile, Rob Bonta has filed a petition seeking a court order related to the case, with a hearing scheduled for May 27.
Local leaders, including Indio councilmember Oscar Ortiz, are also calling for ballots involved in the investigation to be returned to election officials, arguing that proper legal procedures must be followed.
As both sides await further court action, the controversy continues to raise broader questions about the role of law enforcement in election-related matters.
NBC Palm Springs has reached out to all parties involved and will continue to provide updates as new developments emerge.
By: NBC Palm Springs
March 27, 2026
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