California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit to stop Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's investigation into ballots from a November special election, arguing the state constitution gives him authority over sheriffs. The probe, which has seized over 650,000 ballots, is based on a disputed claim of a 45,000-vote gap, but the registrar says the difference is only 103 votes.
The California Supreme Court has temporarily halted the investigation. The sheriffs' association warns that allowing the attorney general to stop such probes could set a dangerous precedent.
- Bonta cites Article V, Section 13 of the state constitution for authority over sheriffs. - Bianco, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, refuses to pause the investigation.
- The California Supreme Court has put the probe on hold pending legal review. - Critics say the investigation is based on misinformation and risks undermining election confidence.
The case highlights a clash between state and local law enforcement authority, with implications for future politically sensitive investigations.