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USA28 March, 20261 min read

California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff Bianco to Pause Ballot Probe

California Supreme Court ordered Riverside County Sheriff Bianco to pause ballot-seizure probe and preserve ballots. Order followed legal challenges by California Attorney General Rob Bonta to halt the probe.

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California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff Bianco to Pause Ballot Probe
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Court Halts Investigation

The California Supreme Court ordered Sheriff Bianco to pause his election fraud probe and preserve seized ballots. The six-justice ruling came after Attorney General Bonta demanded intervention.

Bianco seized ballots despite election officials saying the complaint was unfounded. The court ordered the sheriff to pause the investigation and preserve all seized items.

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Image: ABC7 Los Angeles
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Warrants Unsealed

Judge O’Rane ordered the search warrants to be made public. Bonta said he found deficiencies in the warrants.

The unsealed documents did not identify a specific instance of voter fraud. Bianco said he might consider seizing ballots again in the upcoming primary.

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Image: ABC7 Los Angeles
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Political and Legal Backlash

The investigation has drawn multiple lawsuits and widespread criticism. Voting rights advocates say the sheriff lacks legal grounds.

Bianco's probe echoes the unfounded claims of fraud advanced by Trump. The Supreme Court's order marks a rare judicial intervention.

Reporting for this sectionDemocracy Defenders FundThe Washington PostStraight Arrow News