I support Bianco’s inquiry into possible voter fraud

Despite what some people always say about me, I am not a politically tribal guy.

I am an American. I believe in our form of government despite all its obvious flaws. I believe the Founders set before us a noble vision of equality and freedom they openly admitted they were unable to obtain in their lifetimes. Instead, they left that task for us to complete.  I believe the history of America is really the story of a work in progress, the tale of each generation striving to realize the Founders’ vision as best it can.

While that struggle may seem like one step forward and two steps back at times, I believe it is every citizen’s responsibility to steer the ship of state toward that vision the Founders gave us in order to create the greatest nation the world has ever known. I don’t know that we will ever really get there, but without our constant struggle, we surely will never arrive at the destination. It’s the striving, the keeping our eye on the prize, that matters. It’s simply the ongoing effort to create a more perfect union.

Which brings me to a case on point — Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco’s investigation into voter fraud in Riverside County.

Our nation depends upon the will of the people — largely based on our decisions made in the voting booth.

Frankly, several aspects of this story bug the heck out of me. We have allegations that the voting numbers released in Riverside County don’t match — allegations hurled by an unnamed citizen group. I’d sure like to know who they are so I can assess the reliability of their allegations and maybe discover any questionable or partisan motives they might have. I have resigned myself that I may never get an answer to that question.

I also have concerns about the link between these allegations and Bianco’s investigation into voter fraud in Riverside County that’s been ongoing since 2022. Why so long with no determination? How are these two investigations linked?

I’m also puzzled by the Secretary of State’s response that the citizen group making the allegations simply doesn’t understand the process, and therefore the group’s allegations are based upon a simple misunderstanding of the numbers.

Fair enough. Then share with us the details of this misunderstanding. I can guess, but I have no idea how accurate my assumptions are. If this citizen group is comparing apples and oranges, share that information with us. Explain their error, please.

And who knows how long it’s going to take for this mess to make its way through the courts? Everybody know what a speedy process that is.

Now, I do not know the sheriff. I’ve seen him and met him and listened to him a couple of times at Jensen Hall as a candidate for governor.

Without any evidence to the contrary, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and grant that he is an honest man of integrity seriously concerned about this issue and not simply working some campaign strategy.

Bianco called this a fact-finding mission to determine the validity of these allegations. I agree with such an investigation. The results of our elections are of the utmost importance. If there’s voter fraud in Riverside County, we should eliminate it.

I say let’s ascertain the facts, and if there’s any voter fraud, let’s reveal it. If there are problems, let’s fix them. If people have committed crimes, let’s hold them accountable.

I am proud to live in a country where we can ask and answer such questions.

I just wish we had an answer sooner rather than later.