650,000: The Ballot Count Behind Riverside's Election Push
Local officials convened to defend the integrity of the upcoming vote after the California Supreme Court ordered the return of seized ballots.
By Andrew Bennett ·
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres led a group of Inland Empire officials in a tour of the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office on Thursday. The visit capped a day focused on preparing the public for the upcoming election and addressing recent legal disputes over ballot handling.
Torres argued that seeing the process in person offers a clearer picture than political arguments. She noted that officials want to show the public how election day operations are managed by local staff. The goal was to demonstrate that the system remains transparent and follows established rules despite external pressure.
Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel expressed confidence in the office's capacity to handle the election. She cited the availability of new equipment and additional temporary staff as evidence of readiness. Spiegel encouraged residents to request tours of the facility to verify the security of their own ballots.
Spiegel stated that the office has removed common barriers to voting by increasing the number of ballot drop-off locations. She emphasized that voting by mail is safe and that the system maintains its integrity. Her comments aimed to reassure voters that their participation is protected.
U.S. Rep. Mark Takano criticized the federal role in the election, describing the current situation as an attempted takeover. He pointed out that state and local governments, not the federal government, run elections. Takano challenged President Donald Trump to file formal indictments if he believes fraud is occurring. He urged the public to rely on local registrars for accurate information.
U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz joined his colleagues in criticizing President Trump and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Ruiz accused Bianco of breaking election law by seizing ballots and intimidating workers. He referenced the California Supreme Court's unanimous decision, which found that Bianco violated state law.
The court ruled on Sept. 24 that the seizure of approximately 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 special election was illegal. The order required the return of those ballots to the Registrar of Voters. Bianco complied with the order on Sept. 29, handing back the ballots and related election materials.
Torres advised voters who feel threatened to contact the local Registrar of Voters office directly. She provided a hotline number, 800-345-8683, for reporting complaints to the California secretary of state's office. The office will also direct voters to other appropriate contacts if needed.
