I understand why all eyes seem focused on Donald Trump and his plan to steal the midterms. He has proven himself a threat to free and fair elections.
But as we head toward November, some of the greatest threats to democracy are amassing power at the state and local level. Take, for example, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who seized roughly 650,000 ballots after last year’s redistricting election in California.
Out of the bright glare of the national spotlight, MAGA foot soldiers like Bianco — as well as the right-wing judge who approved the seizure — are quietly working to subvert elections for Republicans. But yesterday, two rulings in California created hurdles for rogue law enforcement officials who may try to copy and paste Bianco’s ballot seizures in November.
In the first, the California Supreme Court ruled that Bianco had violated the law during the seizure, and ordered him to return the ballots.
In a companion case brought by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the court unanimously rejected Bianco’s argument that the state’s chief law enforcement officer lacks authority to issue binding directions governing a county sheriff’s investigation.
Together, these rulings mark a significant victory for free and fair elections in California and a roadmap on how to defeat local election deniers nationwide.
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