Election officials and experts say the claims are based on a misreading of preliminary data and there’s no reason to doubt the results. The measure passed by 56 percent in Riverside County and 64 percent statewide. The dispute comes two months before California’s primary for governor — an office Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is seeking. Riverside County includes 2.5 million residents and stretches from the edge of Los Angeles to California’s border with Arizona. They argue Bianco doesn’t have the power to seize ballots because state law requires election materials to remain in the control of election officials.

Source: Washington Post April 07, 2026 18:24 UTC