The Riley Gaines Show — Nick Shirley: The CA Voter Fraud Files
Episode Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Riley Gaines
Guest: Nick Shirley

Overview

This episode of The Riley Gaines Show features investigative journalist Nick Shirley discussing his recent exposé into voter fraud in California. Building on his prior work in Minnesota, which had significant political consequences, Shirley details widespread administrative vulnerabilities, surprising loopholes, and personal encounters that highlight challenges in election integrity. Riley and Nick break down the impact of investigative journalism in driving accountability, share memorable investigative moments, and stress the nonpartisan importance of fair elections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impact of Nick Shirley’s Work in Minnesota

[04:28]

• Shirley’s initial exposé in Minnesota led to major political fallout, including the end of Gov. Tim Walz’s reelection campaign.
  • Shirley: “He obviously knows he was caught red handed… so he’s dropped out from running for reelection. If he didn’t have anything to do with the fraud, he would have probably kept running.” [04:38]
• Ongoing investigations and arrests are underway for fraudulent activity, especially with daycare funding.
• Shirley expects further accountability as evidence and prosecutions progress.

2. Motivations & Methods for Investigating California

[06:23]

• Shirley moved to examine California’s “breeding ground” for voter fraud, focusing on its lack of voter ID requirements and problematic voter rolls.
  • Describes firsthand interactions with a Registrar of Voters in San Diego who explained that voting relies mainly on personal affidavit and signature matching, with minimal safeguards.
    • Registrar: “When you affidavit, you’re swearing that you’re telling us the truth, and we compare the signature” [07:35]

3. Examples of Voting System Irregularities

[09:09–11:47]

• The ease of registering and voting without proper ID, raising the potential for abuse by non-citizens and ineligible individuals.
• Specific cases cited:
  • A dog registered to vote: Successfully completed ballots in two elections before its owner confessed (done as a protest).
    • Shirley: “A being that doesn’t even have a human body was able to vote…” [11:01]
  • Over 30 people registered at a single UPS store address.
  • One house (an alumni building at a university) had 108 voters registered, despite no residents.
  • Individuals registered as 125 years old (actually 80), voting dozens of times.

4. Public & Official Reception

[14:52–16:56]

• Criticisms about “cherry-picking” cases addressed: Shirley posts full, unedited footage, showing both regular and irregular situations.
  • “Everything you see for me is what you get.” [15:45]
• State officials often attempt to dismiss Shirley’s findings; a notable example is Gov. Newsom’s press team labeling him “Slow Shirley” to discredit his reports.
  • Shirley would challenge these critics to visit sites with him to see evidence firsthand, such as the case of a supposedly 125-year-old voter. [18:15]

5. Election Integrity as a Nonpartisan Issue

[11:47]

• Emphasis that fraud hurts all, regardless of party. Exposé cases implicate both Republicans and Democrats.
  • Shirley: “It’s not a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s like... we’re all dealing with this.” [11:47]
• Public often reacts defensively, with some accusing Shirley of pushing a “MAGA storyline.” He insists the facts are nonpartisan.

6. Vetting Whistleblowers & Handling Criticism

[14:16]

• Whistleblowers are carefully vetted; information is cross-referenced with official state data and records requests.
• Criticism and obstacles arise during fieldwork, including being blocked from certain locations.

7. Threats, Security, and Personal Costs

[21:06, 29:44]

• Shirley faces increased recognition; sometimes heckled or barred from investigation sites.
• He now requires security for safety, especially in volatile urban environments.
  • “These people just start running like cockroaches... they see me and they're getting in their cars and they're fleeing the scene.” [22:06]

8. More Than Elections: Broader California Frauds

[22:17]

• Shirley touches on expanding his investigations into Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid), noting massive annual budget increases without a correlating rise in population.
• On Skid Row, he exposed nonprofit fraud: millions are spent, yet a 12-year-old lived unsheltered for days.
  • Shirley: “A 12 year old sleeping out where people openly get raped at night, people get robbed, people get assaulted… that’s a big issue.” [23:13]
• Shirley’s intervention led to direct aid for the child and outpouring of support.

9. Policy Solutions & The SAVE Act

[25:45]

• Both host and guest support the SAVE Act: requiring voter ID nationwide.
  • Shirley: “How can somebody be against that? You literally have to get an ID for everything else… Why shouldn’t you have to do it for one of the most important things inside of our Government?” [25:56]
• They question the rationale for resisting voter ID and anticipate election impact if strict requirements are implemented.

10. Final Messages on Unity and Urgency

[28:36]

• Reporter and host underline that fraud is not a right-left issue—money lost and votes diluted affect everyone.
  • Shirley: “If you’re a Democrat, you should want to see less fraud... If you’re a Republican, you should want to see less fraud as well.” [28:38]
• Shirley hopes his work will push politicians to openly recognize and address documented fraud ahead of the next election.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I wasn’t expecting to upload the most viral video in the past few years on the Internet.” — Nick Shirley [04:38]
• “[The Registrar said:] ‘Why would anyone not say who they really are?’…they’re pretty much going off of good faith.” — Nick Shirley [09:59]
• “A dog got registered to vote… She did it to show how easy it is… and the fact that a dog was somehow registered… A being that doesn’t even have a human body, was able to vote.” — Nick Shirley [10:47–11:01]
• “Everything you see for me is what you get.” — Nick Shirley [15:45]
• “These people just start running like cockroaches…they see me and they're getting in their cars and they're fleeing the scene.” — Nick Shirley [22:06]
• “How can somebody be against [the SAVE Act]? It’s so simple… Why shouldn’t you have to do it for the most important things inside of our Government...?” — Nick Shirley [25:56]
• “If you’re a Democrat, you want to see less fraud… And if you’re a Republican, you should want to see less fraud as well. People have somehow made fraud controversial.” — Nick Shirley [28:38]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:28 | Shirley on the political fallout in Minnesota | | 06:23 | Motivation for investigating California’s voting systems | | 07:32–10:47 | Interview with Registrar; voting with no ID; the “voting dog” case | | 11:47 | Nonpartisan nature of voter fraud | | 12:38 | Street interviews; perceptions of voter ID and political defensiveness| | 15:57 | 108 people registered at one address | | 18:15 | Challenge to Gov. Newsom’s office; 125-year-old voter case | | 22:17 | Upcoming Medi-Cal fraud exposé | | 23:11 | Skid Row: aid to a homeless 12-year-old | | 25:45 | The SAVE Act—national voter ID debate | | 28:36 | Shirley’s hopes for nonpartisan recognition of fraud | | 29:44 | Security threats and personal safety |

Conclusion

Nick Shirley’s investigation into California’s voting system paints a picture of lax controls, systemic irregularities, and missed opportunities for oversight. Beyond political wins or losses, both Shirley and Riley Gaines emphasize the urgent, universal need for transparency and accountability in elections and government spending. The conversation is marked by real-life examples, direct interactions with officials and citizens, and a plea for unity on issues of fraud. Shirley’s personal courage and commitment, even in the face of threats and criticism, round out a compelling episode for anyone interested in the mechanics and vulnerabilities of democracy.