Cervantes v. Bianco

In November 2025, California voters approved Proposition 50, which temporarily suspended the state’s independent redistricting commission to draw five new Democratic-leaning congressional districts. Riverside County voters approved Proposition 50 by an almost 56% to 44% margin.  

On February 25, 2026, Chad Bianco, Sheriff of Riverside County, seized over half a million Riverside County voters’ ballots, stating it was part of a criminal investigation into alleged irregularities that took place in the November election. Election officials had previously objected to this allegation, stating they were based upon a flawed reading of preliminary counts before the election was certified. 

On March 25, 2026, several Riverside County voters filed a lawsuit in the California Supreme Court, requesting an immediate order stopping the investigation and ordering the return of the ballots to the custody of Riverside County election officials.  The petitioners asserted that the sheriff had violated several election laws, including those concerning the custody of ballots, public viewing of the ballot counting process, and election recounts. 

On April 3, 2026, the League of Women Voters of California (“LWVC”) and Common Cause filed an amicus brief in the state supreme court supporting the petitioners. LWVC asserted that the seizure was an unprecedented operation with no basis in law, a threat to ballot secrecy, in violation of California laws on counting and custody of ballots, and a violation of Californians’ rights to an accurate count, secret ballot, and personal privacy. LWVC and Common Cause urged the court to provide immediate relief to voters. 

On April 8, 2026, in a separate case brought by the California Attorney General, the California Supreme Court issued an order pausing the investigation pending further proceedings. 

Litigation continues. 

LWVC was represented in this matter by Campaign Legal Center.