Sheriff’s Ballot Seizure Raises Real Court Questions in Riverside County
Source: latimes.com
- Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized ballots after a fire at a ballot processing center, claiming they were evidence.
- No fraud was found in the 2,200 damaged ballots, but the action sparked legal challenges over election officials' authority.
- Courts now face questions on whether sheriffs can override elections officials in securing election materials.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco took control of ballots damaged in a March 2024 fire at the county's ballot processing center, arguing they were potential evidence in a criminal investigation. Election officials pushed back, saying they have sole authority over ballots under state law. The article examines the legal questions this raises for courts, including chains of custody and officials' powers. It matters because it tests boundaries between law enforcement and elections amid ongoing el