Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, launched an investigation into California’s November 2025 Proposition 50 election, claiming a third-party group found tens of thousands of excess votes.

California elections officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, have dismissed the allegations, saying Bianco lacks authority and expertise to oversee elections.

The Riverside Election Integrity Team argued the vote tally discrepancies justified a recount, but local election officials maintain the final counts were accurate.

Bianco has also clashed with California Attorney General Bob Bonta, who requested documentation to review the probe, citing concerns over legal deficiencies, Fox News has reported.

The dispute has sparked political tension, with Bianco criticizing officials and maintaining his office will proceed with a physical ballot count.