Sheriff Halts Election Fraud Probe, Ballots in Limbo

0:00It's March 31st. Durham News today starts now. AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican running for California governor, just hit pause on his election fraud probe. He seized over 650,000 ballots from last November's election, claiming it was all legal with the judges okay. But now, facing lawsuits, his office is holding off. Global heat came quick from Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project. They argue the sheriff has zero authority over those ballots, which should stay with election officials. Bianco even grabbed more ballots last week, despite orders to stop. Folks are fired up on both sides. Bonta's team says they're watching the sheriff's moves, not his words, and voters in Riverside County filed petitions too. The UCLA group stresses election law keeps voted ballots secure with pros, not law enforcement. The fights head to California Supreme Court and Superior Court, with demands to return

1:02the ballots fast. Bonta plans to push forward no matter what. This standoff echoes bigger national debates on voting trust, especially with past election claims still echoing. We'll keep eyes on how courts rule next.