The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for April 8, 2026
We’re bringing you some state democracy news briefs today, including on the California county sheriff who seized over 600,000 ballots based on conspiracy theories, and a court-ordered resentencing of a former county clerk in Colorado who allowed access to her county’s voting machines.
First to Riverside County, California, where sheriff and GOP gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco temporarily suspended his investigation of the over 600,000 ballots he seized from 2024’s redistricting referendum. Bianco, after being sued by the California attorney general, said March 30th he suspended the hunt for an alleged 45,000 extra ballots because of, QUOTE, “the politically motivated lawsuits and court filings,” but he has not returned the ballots. The AG’s case demanding return of the ballots remains.
Now to Colorado, where a state appeals court overturned the sentence of former Mesa County election official Tina Peters, convicted on four felonies and three misdemeanors for allowing unauthorized access to the county’s voting machines to find evidence of election fraud. Colorado Newsline reports that while the appeals court took issue with the judge’s comments, it did not overturn the jury verdict, just the nine-year sentence, and returned the case to a lower court for re-sentencing. President Trump has campaigned for her release, but has no power to pardon Peters in a state case.
We’ve linked to the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Sheriff Chad Bianco – Facebook Video Defending Seizure of Riverside County Ballots
KBAK – GOP sheriff in California pauses election probe as legal challenges grow
CalMatters – (Opinion) Sheriff Chad Bianco’s ballot grab is a campaign stunt, not an investigation
CalMatters – California media outlets demand access to secret warrants in sheriff’s ballot seizure case
KESQ – Judge grants expedited hearing in lawsuit over Riverside County ballots
Colorado Newsline – Colorado appeals court orders resentencing of Tina Peters
Colorado Public Radio – Tina Peters to be re-sentenced after appeals court finds issue with free speech rights
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – California Sheriff Obtains Warrant from Judge He Endorsed, Then Seizes More than 650,000 Ballots for ‘Recount’ of 2025 Redistricting Referendum
American Democracy Minute – CO Election Official Tina Peters Got 9 Years for Tampering with Election Machines to Prove the Big Lie. Trump is Trying to Set Her Free.
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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