Local & Community
California Supreme Court orders Bianco to return seized ballots, sides with Bonta
The California Supreme Court is ordering Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return roughly 650,000 ballots his department seized from the county's Registrar of Voters, and to put his investigation into the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election on hold.
Justices handed down two unanimous rulings Thursday morning. In the first, brought by four Riverside County residents who voted in the election, the court found the ballot seizure was unlawful. Justices say state election law is clear that "in no event" can voted ballots be taken from election officials, even during a criminal investigation, and a search warrant doesn't change that.
In the second, the court sided with Attorney General Rob Bonta, ruling that the state Constitution gives him the power to give sheriffs binding orders about criminal investigations.
Under the rulings, Bianco must return the ballots to the registrar "forthwith," meaning right away, and stop handling them except to send them back. He must also take no further action on his investigation while Bonta's office reviews it, keep the other election materials he seized, and hand over his case files to the attorney general.
However, the court did not decide whether Bonta can shut the investigation down entirely, since he has only ordered a pause. Justices also say Bonta could direct Bianco to ask a Riverside County judge to throw out the search warrants and return the remaining election materials.
The decisions won't become final for at least 30 days, and the court can extend that by another 60 days. During that time, the court can change its decisions or agree to hear the cases again. It is not yet clear when the ballots will go back to the registrar.
NBC Palm Springs has reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Attorney General's Office and are waiting to hear a response.
By: Harrison Bluto
September 24, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Tim O’Brien at the Coachella Valley Firebirds training camp!!
BREAKING NEWS 🚨: Murder Suspect Vicky Kim has made a court appearance for the first time in almost two weeks amidst medical delays and two refusals. Today she plead NOT GUILTY to all charges of killing her husband. She is set to appear October 7th for her preliminary hearing. Be sure to visit nbcpalmsprings.com for more information on this case. #breakingnews #courtnews #vickykim #coachellavalley #760
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Did you catch the bug that’s going around?
Talking With Thalia: GLP-1 medications have become a popular tool for weight loss, but what you eat while taking them matters, too. Local dietitian Jessica Brantley Lopez shares the importance of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and hydration, along with why smaller, more frequent meals may help manage side effects and support healthy weight loss. Jessica also opens up about her own experience with GLP-1 medication and how it changed her approach to helping others. Talking With Thalia is sponsored by DAP Health. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #TalkingWithThalia #DAPHealth #GLP1 #WeightLoss #Nutrition Dietitian HealthToday CoachellaValley PalmSprings NBCPalmSprings
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are one step closer to completing their $110 billion merger after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general reached a settlement with Paramount. The settlement resolves the states’ antitrust lawsuit, though it still requires court approval. The agreement includes commitments involving film production, workers and editorial independence for CNN and CBS News. California AG CNN’s Brian Stelter reports. #Paramount #WarnerBrosDiscovery #ParamountMerger #CNN #Hollywood #Media #Merger #Entertainment
A high-speed police chase in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, came to a dramatic end when the vehicle plunged into Lake Como. Dashcam video released by police shows the pursuit before the car crashes into the water. Four people inside the vehicle were pulled from the lake with no serious injuries reported. Police say the driver was charged with reckless driving. Watch the video and get more at NBCPalmSprings.com.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Don’t sweat the small stuff!
As fall approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your annual flu shot. The CDC recommends flu vaccination every season for nearly everyone 6 months and older, and September or October is generally the ideal time for most people to get vaccinated. The 2026-27 flu vaccines have been updated to target the strains expected to circulate this season. There’s also a new option this year: Moderna’s mFLUSIVA, the first FDA-approved mRNA flu vaccine, for adults 50 and older. Talk with your health care provider about which flu vaccine is right for you and make a plan to get vaccinated this fall. Learn more about DAP Health at DAPHealth.org. #FluSeason #FluShot #FluVaccine #DAPHealth #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Health #Wellness #NBCPalmSprings
Murder Suspect Vicky Kim was set to appear in court at the Larson Justice Center today following her recent medical clearance to appear in court, but refused. However, she may be forced to appear should she refuse again. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we follow the latest developments of this case #VickyKim #arraignment #courtupdate #riversidecounty