A conservative grassroots organization has sent letters to election officials in every “major jurisdiction” asking what measures are being taken to ensure the security of Arizona's ballot boxes and calling for the right to monitor those boxes during the general presidential election.
According to reporting by the Arizona Republic, one of these letters was received by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes on Aug. 15, just days after a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled that Fontes had overstepped when crafting the Elections Procedure Manual.
All eyes are on Arizona as it will be a crucial swing state in the presidential election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The court case, Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Adrian Fontes, was brought to court by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Yuma resident Philip Townsend and the America First Policy Institute, where they jointly claimed that Fontes violated First Amendment rights when setting limitations on what actions and behavior are allowed outside and in a polling place.
“The Court is troubled by section III, ‘preserving order and security at the voting location,’” reads the court order. “From pages 180 to 183, the EPM contains what this Court finds to be speech restrictions in violation of our Arizona Constitution, misstates or modifies our statutes, and fails to identify any distinction between guidance and legal mandates.”
While supporters said the EPM provisions ensured the safety and security of Arizona elections, the court has ruled it unlawful and no prosecution can befall anyone who violates this portion of the EPM.
