Sheriff’s Ballot Seizure Raises Real Court Questions in Riverside County

Source: latimes.com

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