Sheriff Bianco: Seized Prop 50 ballots to be destroyed on Tuesday

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco claims the 650,000 Prop 50 ballots he seized and was forced to return will be destroyed on Tuesday.

The claim comes from a campaign fundraising email, and News Channel 3 is working to confirm it.

Bianco seized those ballots while investigating fraud claims in the November 2025 Prop 50 election. The California Supreme Court ruled the investigation unlawful and ordered him to return the ballots to the Registrar.

The discrepancy behind his investigation, activists claimed, was over 45,000 votes. The Registrar says it was about 103.

In a campaign email this afternoon, Bianco says his attorney told him the registrar will destroy the ballots Tuesday.

County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen sent News Channel 3 a statement:

Following the California Supreme Court's rulings concerning the November 2025 Special Election, the ballots seized by the Sheriff's Department were returned to the Registrar of Voters. The County subsequently sought written guidance from the California Department of Justice and Secretary of State regarding the appropriate disposition of those materials.

The Department of Justice has confirmed that it has completed its review of the Sheriff's investigation and has no objection to the County's disposition of the ballots in accordance with State law. The Secretary of State's Office has also confirmed that the ballots must be destroyed pursuant to California Elections Code section 17302(c).

Following receipt of this guidance and an independent legal review confirming the County's obligations under State law, the Registrar of Voters will proceed with the destruction of the ballots in accordance with established election procedures.

The County remains committed to secure, accurate, transparent, and lawful elections. We have confidence in Registrar Art Tinoco and the dedicated professionals in the Registrar of Voters office, who continue to carry out their responsibilities while preparing for the November 3 General Election.

-Riverside County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen

Destroying ballots isn’t unusual; state law only requires keeping them so long, and this election is almost a year old.

Two weeks ago, the Registrar refused to take any questions on when the ballots are slated for destruction.