California Prop 50 Special Election Audit Reveals More Votes than Voters Spark Investigation; 6.9% error rate
Updated: Sep 2
A recent audit of the California Prop 50 special election uncovered a troubling discrepancy: the number of votes cast exceeded the number of ballots counted. This finding aligns with patterns seen in previous audits and has prompted Sheriff Chad Bianco, to take action. The audit was conducted using the Registrar of Voters' own records, adding credibility to the findings and raising serious questions about the election's integrity.
What the Audit Found
The audit focused on the Prop 50 special election, a vote that attracted significant public attention. A detailed accounting of the Registrar of Voters' (ROV) official records, auditors discovered that the total number of ballots counted and certified surpassed the total number of ballots cast. This kind of discrepancy is not a minor clerical error. It suggests that either the vote tallying process was flawed or that unauthorized votes were included.
This is not the first time such inconsistencies have appeared in local election audits. Past audits have shown similar patterns, where ballots counted exceeded the number of ballots cast and accepted as ‘good’. The consistency of these findings points to a systemic issue that demands thorough examination.
How the Audit Was Conducted
The audit team used public record requests to obtain the ROV's own paper records for ballots cast at vote centers, drop boxes, and ballots delivered by the USPS. The audit team:
Tallied the number of ballots cast via all methods.
Deducted the number of ballots not eligible to be counted due to a discrepancy, e.g. ballot not signed, signature did not match as was not cured, to obtain net ballots cast.
Compared the net ballots cast to the certified total of ballots (votes) counted per the counties’ website, voteinfo.net.
The Prop 50 Election found 45,896 more ballots counted than cast.
The 2024 General Election found 33,888 more ballots counted than cast.
Why This Matters
Elections are the foundation of democracy. When the number of votes exceeds the number of voters, it undermines public trust and raises concerns about election security. Voters expect that their votes are counted fairly and accurately. Election contests in Riverside county has been decided by as little as 15 votes.
The fact that this audit's findings are consistent with previous audits suggests that the problem is not isolated. It highlights the need for an investigation, stronger safeguards, and more transparency in the election process.
Sheriff Chad Bianco’s Role
Sheriff Chad Bianco has received the audit evidence and has opened an investigation. His involvement signals that local law enforcement is taking the matter seriously, Bianco wanted to determine whether the discrepancies were accidental or intentional and the root cause(s) to be addressed to prevent future occurrences.
AG Bonta's Actions to Halt the Investigation
California Attorney General Rob Bonta immediately took significant steps to stop the ongoing local investigation . His actions have undermined local control from an elected law enforcement officer and adds fuel to the questions regarding transparency and accountability within the electoral process. What is he afraid of ?
Overall, AG Bonta's intervention in halting the investigation has raised crucial questions about the balance between legal compliance and the public's right to know if the election results were valid.
The audit of the California Prop 50 special election has revealed a serious issue: more votes were counted than voters who voted. The county claims the audit is without merit. However, this finding, consistent with past audits, has led to an investigation by Sheriff Chad Bianco which would validate or invalidate the audit. Did the county really count 45,896 more votes than were cast? The public deserves an answer. The use of the Registrar of Voters' own records strengthens the credibility of the audit and highlights the need for improved election oversight. Moving forward, election officials and voters alike must work together to restore confidence in the democratic process and ensure that every vote counts accurately.
Check out the attachment above for information on how the audit was conducted.
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