California voters deserve to understand exactly what is happening.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican now running for governor, has launched an unprecedented law enforcement investigation into the November 2025 special election and seized roughly 650,000 ballots. The stated basis is alleged voter fraud — claims that have not been supported by verified data.
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, citing Bianco’s own sworn statements, has argued the sheriff failed to establish probable cause to justify this action. Although a California court recently denied Bonta’s request to halt the ballot review, the underlying legal and constitutional concerns remain unresolved.
This should concern every voter, regardless of party.
A sheriff sworn to uphold the law has stepped into the election process, pursuing claims that do not withstand basic scrutiny. More troubling is the use of law enforcement authority to reach into the handling of ballots themselves. That is not routine policing. It is a direct intrusion into a system designed to be insulated from political pressure and protected by strict legal safeguards.
Ballots are not criminal evidence to be collected at will. They are the protected voice of the public, governed by laws that ensure they are handled securely, counted accurately and preserved with integrity. When law enforcement treats ballots as something to seize based on weak or disputed claims, it crosses a line for a reason. It signals to voters that their participation can be challenged or undermined after the fact.
That is voter suppression.
Voter suppression does not always appear at the polling place. It can take the form of actions that discourage participation, create fear or erode confidence that a lawful vote will be counted. When a sheriff launches a high-profile investigation built on claims that fall apart under scrutiny and then targets ballots themselves, it sends a message that the system is unstable and that voting carries risk.
That message discourages participation just as effectively as any physical barrier.
The pattern is difficult to ignore. Broad allegations are made. The numbers behind those claims do not hold up. Yet instead of stepping back, the investigation proceeds, public and highly visible. When that action is driven by an elected sheriff positioning for higher office — currently running neck-and-neck in the race for governor — the question becomes unavoidable: is this about evidence, or political exposure?
The Constitution does not permit law enforcement to operate on speculation. Probable cause requires real, verified facts before authority is exercised. If an investigation relies on claims already contradicted by official data, or if critical facts are omitted when seeking judicial approval, the foundation of that action is not just weak — it is unconstitutional.
But the legal consequences are only part of the damage.
The deeper harm is to public trust. Elections function because people believe the system is fair and that their vote will be counted. When law enforcement is seen targeting ballots, that belief erodes. Voters begin to question whether their participation is secure or whether it can be pulled into political disputes after the fact. That doubt spreads quickly, and once it takes hold, it is difficult to reverse.
There is a legitimate role for law enforcement in protecting election integrity, but it is narrow and disciplined. It requires credible evidence, coordination with election officials and strict adherence to legal boundaries. It does not include pursuing debunked claims or using the authority of the badge in ways that blur the line between public service and political ambition.
What is happening here should be recognized for what it is. When ballots become the focus of questionable law enforcement action, the impact extends beyond any single investigation. It affects every voter who now has reason to question whether their voice will be respected.
This is how voter suppression evolves — not always through denial of access, but through the creation of doubt. And when doubt replaces confidence, the foundation of democracy begins to weaken.
David Myers is a retired San Diego Sheriff’s commander with 35 years law enforcement experience.
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