Cervantes v. Bianco
September 29, 2026
Case Summary
The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) joined a legal challenge (Cervantes v. Bianco) urging the California Supreme Court to take swift and decisive action to address the unlawful seizure of ballots from the 2025 special election by the Riverside County (CA) sheriff. Sheriff Bianco claimed the seizure was necessary to investigate potential irregularities in the November 2025 vote, but as CalMatters detailed, these unproven claims were the result of a years-long campaign by groups aligned with the “constitutional sheriff” movement pressuring the sheriff to intervene in local elections.
On September 24, 2026, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Bianco, holding that state law unambiguously prohibits law enforcement from removing ballots from the custody of election officials, and ordered the materials returned.
LWV Timeline
September 2026
California Supreme Court Issues Decision
In a unanimous opinion, the California Supreme Court rules the sheriff’s seizure of the ballots was unlawful and orders him to return them to the custody of Riverside County election officials.
August 2026
California Supreme Court Holds Oral Arguments
The California Supreme Court hears oral arguments in two lawsuits challenging the sheriff’s seizure of the ballots.
April 2026
California Supreme Court Pauses Investigation
In the case of Bonta v. Bianco, the California Supreme Court ordered the pause of the Sheriff’s “investigation.”
March 30, 2026
LWVC and Common Cause File Amicus Brief
Represented by Campaign Legal Center, the LWVC joined Common Cause to file an amicus brief in the California Supreme Court supporting the petitioners.
March 25, 2026
Petitioners Sue Sheriff Bianco
Several Riverside County voters file a lawsuit in the California Supreme Court, asserting the investigation was illegal under several California laws and requesting the immediate return of the seized ballots to county election officials.
February 2026
Riverside Sheriff Seizes Over Half a Million Ballots
Alleging a “criminal investigation,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized almost 650,000 ballots for the November 2025 election.
November 4, 2025
November 2025 General Election
Prop 50 was on the ballot, a contest in which voters decisively agreed to pause the state’s independent redistricting commission and add five additional Democratic seats.