Riverside County (CA) Sheriff Chad Bianco seized 650,000+ ballots from 2025 special election using warrants approved by a judge he publicly endorsed; California Supreme Court ordered warrants unsealed; county elections chief denies any discrepancy

Sheriff Chad Bianco (Republican gubernatorial candidate); fringe activist groups alleged "discrepancies"; county Registrar of Voters disputes all claims

Ballots were from Prop 50 special election, which shifted five Republican U.S. House seats toward Democrats; passed with 56% in Riverside County. The activist group's "discrepancy" claim was based on flawed and incomplete data per the county Registrar. Bianco is simultaneously a candidate for California Governor. Warrant was approved by a judge Bianco had publicly endorsed.

Coverage is primarily center to center-left; right-leaning outlets covering from "election integrity investigation" framing. Story broke via CalMatters investigation.