Local & Community
Election Investigation Hearing Delayed Again Amid Legal Fight
The legal battle over an election investigation in Riverside County is facing yet another delay.
An ex parte hearing at the Riverside County Superior Court, connected to efforts to halt the probe led by Sheriff Chad Bianco, has now been continued to April 2. This marks the second time the hearing has been postponed.
The motion was filed by Rob Bonta, who is seeking to immediately stop the seizure and hand count of ballots tied to the 2025 special election. Bianco has confirmed the hand count is currently paused amid ongoing legal challenges, which he has described as politically motivated.
The investigation stems from claims by a citizen group alleging a 45,000-ballot discrepancy between ballots cast and counted in that election.
The case is now also escalating beyond the local level. Bonta has filed a petition with the California Supreme Court, calling the situation an “unprecedented constitutional emergency” and asking justices to intervene and halt the investigation altogether.
Meanwhile, Oscar Ortiz and Clarissa Cervantes have also taken legal action, requesting that the seized ballots be returned to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.
With hearings now unfolding at both the county and state levels, the future of the investigation remains uncertain as courts weigh whether it will move forward or be stopped entirely.
By: NBC Palm Springs
March 30, 2026
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