Group challenges restrictions in Arizona election manual on ballot drop off locations

PHOENIX (AP) — A conservative group is challenging parts of its ArizonaThis marks the third lawsuit filed within the past two weeks that seeks to strike down provisions in the state’s guidelines for conducting elections.

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s lawsuit takes aim at the manual’s instructions on operating ballot drop-off locations and preventing voter intimidation, saying the provisions are unconstitutional because they attempt to restrict protected speech. The group says the restrictions in the manual released in December by the office of Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes put people at risk of criminal prosecution for monitoring drop boxes and polling locations.

Complaints were made during Arizona’s 2022 election season that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters bringing ballots to drop boxes in Arizona.

The manual states that election officials may prohibit activities that impede access to ballot drop off locations. In a footnote, Manuel cited examples of voter intimidation or harassment, including intentionally stalking someone delivering ballots to a drop box.

The manual also provides examples of what could be considered intimidation inside and outside polling places. These include taunting or using threatening language to a voter or poll worker and directly confronting or photographing voters or poll workers in a manner that harasses or intimidates them.

Fontes’ office declined to comment Tuesday on the lawsuit, which was filed Friday.

Another lawsuit filed late last month by Arizona Senate President Warren Peterson and House Speaker Ben Toma alleges that parts of the manual conflict with state law.

For example, Peterson and Toma took issue with Manuel’s instructions on how to treat voters who respond on the juror questionnaire that they do not live in the relevant county and did not respond to the county recorder’s notice within 35 days. Is. Confirm their residence status.

According to the lawsuit, the manual says those voters should be marked as inactive, while legislative leaders say state law says those voters’ registrations should be canceled.

On Friday, the Republican National Committee, Republican Party of Arizona and Yavapai County Republican Party filed a lawsuit On several provisions of the manual. The lawsuit’s claims included allegations that the public comment period on the manual was too short.

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