This press release was originally posted on the Campaign Legal Center website.

SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the Supreme Court of California ordered the sheriff of Riverside County, California, to return hundreds of thousands of unlawfully seized ballots from a 2025 special election because his actions violated state law and jeopardized key election safeguards. This win for voters comes after Campaign Legal Center filed a letter brief on behalf of Common Cause and the League of Women Voters of California — in support of a petition by Riverside County voters — urging the state Supreme Court to send a clear signal to law enforcement agencies that efforts to disrupt elections should not go unchecked.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s actions violate California law requiring public officials to maintain a clear chain of custody over sensitive election materials, including ballots, and ensure that only trained election officials conduct recounts, audits and other important postelection procedures. Ballot custody laws are an essential way to protect voters’ fundamental rights to an accurate count, a secret ballot and their personal privacy. Sheriff Bianco’s rogue ballot seizure also evades established recount and contest procedures critical to safeguarding our democracy and the rule of law.

“This ruling is a victory for voters across California,” said Jenny Farrell, executive director of the League of Women Voters of California. “Our democracy depends on clear rules, transparency and trust. Today, the Court reaffirmed a fundamental principle: Elections are administered by trained election officials, not by those seeking to cast doubt on the outcome. That principle is essential to protecting the freedom to vote.”

“Voters deserve to have absolute confidence that their ballots are handled securely and counted accurately,” said Brittany Stonesifer, senior voting rights and redistricting program manager for California Common Cause. “This decision reaffirms that no one — including law enforcement — is above the rules that protect our elections. Courts must follow this lead and continue to act decisively to safeguard the vote and stop any illegal interference in our elections.”

“Sheriff Bianco’s illegal seizure of ballots is a dangerous escalation and blatantly unlawful intrusion by law enforcement,” said Bruce V. Spiva, senior vice president at Campaign Legal Center. “In Riverside County and a growing number of localities across the country, actions like this risk disrupting critical chain of custody procedures, endangering sensitive voter data, sidestepping recount and contest procedures, and amplifying baseless claims, ultimately undermining the freedom to vote. Californians — and Americans across the country — should be confident their vote is counted accurately and their privacy is safeguarded.”

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The nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center advances democracy through law. We safeguard the freedom to vote, defend voters’ right to know who is spending money to influence elections, and work to ensure public trust in our elected officials.