Local & Community
California Supreme Court Rules Against Sheriff Chad Bianco in Riverside County Ballot Cases
The California Supreme Court has unanimously ruled against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in two cases stemming from his investigation into possible ballot-count discrepancies in the 2025 special election.
The rulings in Bonta v. Bianco and Cervantes v. Bianco found that the sheriff defied California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s orders to stop the election investigation and violated state election law after illegally seizing more than 650,000 Riverside County voter ballots as part of that investigation.
Bianco’s investigation centered on possible ballot-count discrepancies presented by a Riverside County citizens group.
After months of debate, the state Supreme Court sided with Bonta and Riverside Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, ordering Bianco to immediately return all seized election materials to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters and follow the attorney general’s orders to terminate the investigation.
Court addresses seizure of voter ballots
The ruling in Cervantes v. Bianco centered on the seizure of the ballots and the state rules governing who can access them.
In its ruling, the court wrote:
“While allegations are a very serious matter, our Elections Code contains numerous established mechanisms for investigating and proving misconduct that do not compromise the integrity of voted ballots.”
Indio Councilmember Oscar Ortiz supported Cervantes in her challenge against Bianco. Ortiz said the decision settles a question he believes should have been clear from the beginning.
Despite the two unanimous rulings against him, Bianco said he continues to stand behind the reasons for his investigation.
Bonta, meanwhile, said the justices confirmed the authority he maintained he had throughout the dispute.
Rulings follow new California election laws
The two decisions come just days after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed more than a dozen new California election laws intended to protect the integrity of California voters and their ballots, including additional restrictions on the seizure of ballots.
Newsom responded to the court’s decisions, saying in part:
“Today’s ruling affirms that in California we will defend democracy — using every branch of government. And the new laws I signed just last week add new protections so attacks like this cannot happen again.”
The rulings will not become final for at least 30 days.
It is not yet clear when the seized ballots will be returned to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.
By: Alondra Campos
September 24, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
The #NorteFire is spreading near San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Fire crews are working to contain the blaze as conditions develop. Stay tuned to NBC Palm Springs for updates. #NorteFire #SouthernCalifornia #Wildfire #SanJuanCapistrano SanClemente NBCPalmSprings
Strong winds are expected across Southern California today, with speeds reaching 25 to 35 mph. Officials warn of possible falling trees, downed power lines and hazardous driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles. Southern California Edison says emergency crews will be on standby for possible power outages. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911. #SouthernCalifornia #CoachellaValley #WindAdvisory #PowerOutage #SouthernCaliforniaEdison NBCPalmSprings
Sordid Lives is returning to Palm Canyon Theater October 30 through November 15! Playwright Del Shores joins NBC Palm Springs’ Tod Macofsky to talk about the beloved production and its long history in the Coachella Valley. Want to see the show? NBC Palm Springs is giving away two tickets! Enter on the promotions page at NBCPalmSprings.com. #SordidLives #DelShores #PalmCanyonTheater #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley DesertEntertainment NBCPalmSprings
🗣️ NO KINGS DEMONSTRATIONS ARE COMING BACK TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY! Thousands of demonstrations are planned nationwide Saturday, including FIVE right here in the Valley. Organizers say the goal is to help eligible voters prepare for the polls and know their rights. 📍 Events are planned in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Indio. Will you be hitting the streets this weekend? 👀 #NoKings #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Indio #CaliforniaNews
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. No Kings protests?
Now Open! The new Agua Caliente gas station on Highway 111 in Cathedral City is officially open. A new stop for drivers in the Coachella Valley. Have you checked it out yet? #CathedralCity #AguaCaliente #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprin
A fire broke out Thursday morning at the KESQ News Channel 3 station in Thousand Palms, disrupting its morning broadcast. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire has been extinguished, and restoration efforts are underway. Station leaders told NBC Palm Springs they planned to return to the air at noon. We’re glad everyone is safe. We’ll share updates as more information becomes available. #ThousandPalms #KESQ #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprings
🚨 FIRE AT KESQ WHILE ON AIR! A fire broke out inside the KESQ news station in Thousand Palms around 5 a.m. this morning, forcing the station off the air. 🔥 The fire started in an equipment room where cameras and batteries are stored. Thankfully, NO ONE WAS INJURED. The cause and extent of the damage remain unknown as the station works to get back on air. ❤️🩹 #KESQ #ThousandPalms #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley
☕️Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Four or against daylight saving?
James Talarico is advocating for a solution to immigration enforcement that rejects "the extremism on this issue in both parties." Talarico said, "Joe Biden failed us during his administration." And now, under the Trump administration, Talarico said there is a "different kind of extremism" in enforcement.