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Arizona high court rules Secretary of State must turn over list of noncitizens on voter roll

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Arizona high court rules Secretary of State must turn over list of noncitizens on voter roll

Maricopa County must provide a conservative watchdog group with a list of noncitizens currently registered to vote, the Arizona Superior Court ruled on Thursday.

America First Legal (AFL) filed the suit in August.

“As the Court admonished the parties prior to and during the hearing, the issue for the Court to decide is whether the records that Plaintiff requested must be released pursuant to Arizona’s public records law,” the high court’s order reads. “Despite the political undertones, this is simply a public records case.”

During an evidentiary hearing, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes testified that a system error had affected approximately 218,000 registered voters, the court document states.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON VOTER ROLLS SPURS WATCHDOG GROUP TO SUE MARICOPA COUNTY

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Voters cast their ballots during Michigans early voting period on October 29, 2024 in Dearborn, Michigan. Early voter turnout has been heavy in Michigan, a key battleground state with 14 electoral votes, with over 250,000 early votes being cast in just the first two days. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

The order notes that Fontes acknowledged having a partial list of about 98,000 voters who have not confirmed their proof of citizenship but stated that no complete list of all 218,000 affected voters exists. Fontes attributed a government press release’s mention of a complete list to “hasty drafting” and unclear language. He also claimed that the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) had not provided him with any list containing personal information for the additional voters potentially lacking sufficient documentation. 

However, the court concluded his testimony was inconsistent; Fontes initially denied possessing the list of 98,000 voters before amending his statement.

“His testimony suggested that he lacked detailed familiarity with the AZSOS’s [Arizona Secretary of State] efforts with regard to the issue and with regard to the records in the possession of the AZSOS related to the 218,000 individuals,” the court document states.

Additionally, the order chides Arizona’s Department of State for presenting Professor Robert Pape, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, as an expert witness. 

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The court said it assigned minimal weight to his testimony and report. Much of Pape’s testimony focused on national trends in political violence, lacking specific analysis related to Arizona, according to the court document. 

During cross-examination, Pape acknowledged that he had conducted no research pertinent to the state. His assertion that releasing the requested information could lead to violence or harassment was largely speculative and based solely on national statistics, the court document notes.

“The credibility of Professor Pape’s testimony and report was further diminished by what appeared to be gratuitous political bias in his report and in his testimony,” the high court concluded. “The Professor’s opinions regarding general political violence focused almost entirely on allegations of past and anticipated prospective violence from only one side of the political spectrum, and only related to former president Donald Trump.”

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Fontes and Pape “argued that producing the list of 218,000 voters to to AFL’s client would expose those individuals to the risk of harassment and violence.”

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Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes speaks following Tuesday’s ruling from Arizona’s high court upholding a 160-year-old abortion ban, at an event in Tucson, Arizona, U.S., April 12, 2024.   REUTERS/Rebecca Noble (Reuters/Rebecca Noble)

“However, the only evidence they presented was about generalized threats of elected-related political violence, most against elected officials,” the court document read. “They failed to identify any specific threats of violence or harassment.”

The decision comes after AFL filed suit on behalf of the nonprofit group Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona and Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen in Maricopa County, in August. 

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AFL had previously given Maricopa County one week to address the alleged noncitizens on its voter rolls.

The lawsuit claims that, as of April 2024, more than 35,000 registered voters in Arizona had not provided proof of citizenship, limiting them to voting only in federal races, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

The lawsuit alleges that Arizona’s voter registration system creates a split between those who provide proof of citizenship (DPOC) and those who do not. Under Arizona law, DPOC is required for state and local elections, but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal voter registration form does not mandate this requirement. Consequently, Arizona has a bifurcated system where voters who use the federal form – known as Federal-Only Voters – are restricted to voting only in federal elections.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, through his attorney, stated that he would not take any action, “citing, among other things, concerns for the safety of voters, and concerns about the accuracy of the list,” and claimed his office is already complying with the law, the Arizona high court document read.

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On Sept. 26, Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona was informed through the secretary of state’s portal that its Public Records Request (PRR) had been “closed.” A note added to the file indicated that a response was released on Sep. 23, leading the organization to conclude that the PRR had been denied.

“THE COURT FINDS specifically that the letter of September 24, 2024 and the NextRequest closure of the file with an explanatory note stating that ‘our response was released’ collectively constitute a denial of the PRR,” the high court’s Thursday order stated.

Fontes told Fox News Digital that the office “is considering all of our legal options.”

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Mayor Tim Keller defeats law-and-order challenger to secure third term as Albuquerque mayor

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Mayor Tim Keller defeats law-and-order challenger to secure third term as Albuquerque mayor

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Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has been re-elected to lead New Mexico’s largest city, according to the unofficial results from the Bernalillo County clerk’s office. 

While officially nonpartisan, Tuesday’s runoff carried a clear ideological split as Keller faced a challenge from his right in former Sheriff Darren White, who cast himself as the law-and-order candidate promising to restore public safety.

Keller defended his record on crime and homelessness, ultimately securing a third term to continue leading the blue city through the next four years as it confronts public safety and housing challenges.

Keller and White advanced from a 7-candidate field on Election Day on Nov. 5, 2025, when other high-stakes mayoral races were playing out across the United States, from Seattle to New York City. Because neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the mayoral contest advanced to Tuesday’s runoff election.

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ALBUQUERQUE VOTERS TO DECIDE MAYORAL RUNOFF AS LAW-AND-ORDER CHALLENGER TAKES ON INCUMBENT IN BLUE CITY

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller greets then-Vice President Kamala Harris at the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. (Sam Wasson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Despite Albuquerque’s officially nonpartisan mayoral election, Keller aligns with the Democratic Party while White is a Republican.

“Thank you for believing in this campaign, in our city, and in the work ahead. I’m honored to earn your trust for another historic term, and I’m ready to keep delivering progress for every community in our city. Let’s get back to work, together,” Keller said Tuesday night after securing a third term.

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“While we are disappointed by the final result, we have no regrets. We walk with our heads held high, proud of the movement we built and the issues we helped elevate,” White posted on X.

Both candidates made public safety and housing central to their campaigns as Albuquerque has struggled with some of the highest violent-crime rates in the region and a homelessness crisis.

Keller is a former state senator and auditor who has served as mayor of Albuquerque since 2017, while White is the programming manager for a local radio station, the former chief public safety officer for Albuquerque and lost a congressional race as a Republican in 2008.

According to Keller’s campaign website, he ran for re-election, in part, because Albuquerque “needs strong, reliable leadership” to “stand up” against President Donald Trump’s sweeping, second-term agenda.

Then-U.S. House candidate Darren White speaks at the New Mexico’s Republican Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 15, 2008. (Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images)

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Earlier this year, Keller issued an executive order “reaffirming Albuquerque’s longstanding commitment as an immigrant-friendly city and outlined specific actions to safeguard the rights and safety of immigrant and refugee communities,” amid Trump’s nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration.

“He’s done the real work to repair decades-long challenges holding our city back. Now we know what’s working — and it’s time to press the pedal down and move Albuquerque forward through these tough times,” Keller touted on his campaign website, as he pointed to “tough times” locally and nationally.

Keller leaned on his record throughout the campaign, including his efforts to combat crime, reform homelessness and housing services and his “breakthrough achievements,” including public safety and community investment projects, as outlined on his website.

The mayor also highlighted his initiatives to reform the city’s emergency response system, invest in neighborhoods, fight for survivors of sexual violence, modernize the economy, leadership on “climate action” including a commitment to being “100% renewable by 2025,” expanding youth programs and “leading with courage” through the COVID-19 pandemic, per his campaign website.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller delivers remarks at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.  (Sam Wasson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Meanwhile, White emphasized his law enforcement experience as a U.S. Army veteran who has served as “the head of the New Mexico State Police and Sheriff of Bernalillo County,” according to his own campaign website.

Chief among his campaign promises was a commitment to fighting crime by restoring law and order and “giving officers the support and tools they need to enforce the law and clean up our streets” and ending “Mayor Keller’s Sanctuary City law for criminals and fight to end Catch and Release,” according to his website.

Drawing a contrast to Keller’s own record, White campaigned on cleaning up homeless encampments and addressing “the homeless crisis with policies that work.”

Other campaign promises included partnering with businesses to create jobs and boost the economy and prioritizing government efficiency by cutting the waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars, per his campaign website.

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“I have a proven record of fighting crime, protecting our communities, and upholding law and order,” White said. “I’ll unshackle the police, end Mayor Keller’s failed sanctuary policies, clean up homeless encampments, and restore safety to Albuquerque’s streets, parks, and businesses while cutting government waste and making our city a place where families and businesses can thrive again.”

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Crockett’s potential successor has repeatedly railed against US in reparations push: ‘It’s been evil’

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Crockett’s potential successor has repeatedly railed against US in reparations push: ‘It’s been evil’

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Progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s pastor, a radical reparations activist who once claimed America was “born in political violence,” is now running as a Democrat to replace her in Texas’ 30th Congressional District.

A Texas Democratic Party document reviewed by Fox News Digital confirmed that Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, a Dallas megachurch pastor and social justice activist, is running to replace Crockett following her announcement that she is running for Senate.

In 2022, speaking at a “Solidarity for Reparations” event at a San Francisco church, Haynes advocated for reparations on the grounds that America owes it to the African American community.

“America, you owe us. What you done to us has been immoral. It’s been evil. It’s been unjust. It’s been downright wrong and the only way to bring salvation to America – you gotta pay us what you owe us,” Haynes said. “I’ve come by to say San Francisco, California, Texas, United States of America, if you want salvation to come to this house, you’ve got to engage in reparations.”

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks to reporters after announcing her run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on Dec. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The remarks were made at the church of failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ longtime mentor and pastor, Amos Brown, who has made several controversial comments, including blaming the United States for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Haynes’ comments received high praise from Brown, who told the congregation, “What a wonder. What a word. What a challenge.” 

He then told all the members of the San Francisco reparations task force in the crowd to “implement what our preacher has so eloquently stated in undescribable words. I told you you would receive information. You got all the inspiration you need. Now it’s time for implementation.”

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Haynes was also present at a reparations rally outside the White House in 2023, when he said the United States was “born in the sin of a hostile, genocidal takeover of Indigenous land and shaped by anti-Black White supremacy. This is a country that spent in the aftermath of emancipation decades plundering Black communities and ensuring that we were economically exploited and excluded. And so how could you talk about redemption without reparation?”

“We’ve come to cash our check because we’ve seen the [profit and loss] statement,” he continued.

In addition to his activism on reparations, Haynes has a history of controversial statements, including posting a photo of himself and notorious antisemite Louis Farrakhan in 2017, calling him a “wonderful and great man.” In 2015, Haynes also lavished praise on Farrakhan, saying he was “a prophetic leader of our time.”

Earlier this year, he attacked conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination, accusing him of espousing “dangerous” views “rooted in white supremacy.”

He criticized characterizations of Kirk’s killing as an assassination, saying, “a white Christian gets killed, murdered, not assassinated,” continuing, “Martin King got assassinated, Malcom X got assassinated, Medgar Evers got assassinated, don’t compare Kirk to King.”

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Though he condemned political violence, Douglass proceeded to drill into Kirk, saying, “What Kirk said was dangerous, what Kirk said was racist, rooted in white supremacy, nasty and hate-filled.”

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Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, enters the plaza and talks with his supporters. (Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

During the same sermon, he proceeded to call out politicians who said America was better than political violence, because, as he said, “we ain’t better than this.”

“One of the things that gets me, and we got the politicians in here, I’m going to come for you if you ever say this, if you ever say, ‘America, we better than this,’ you lying, you lying. We ain’t better than this. America was born in political violence.”

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He proceeded to list a number of acts of violence, saying, “America committed political violence during the slave trade, America committed political violence when black bodies hung as strange fruit from old southern trees, America committed political violence against the Irish, against the Italians, before they became white.”

“And you going to say, ‘We better than this?’” he continued. “No, we can’t fix what you won’t face, until you look in the mirror and face this is a violent country, that has done violence to too many people.”

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches a Texas Senate campaign with a clever ad featuring Trump’s own insults against her, sparking social media reactions. (LM Otero/AP Photo)

Haynes did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment by the time of publication.

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Though he did not address his congressional campaign, speaking at Crockett’s Senate launch event on Monday, Haynes accused Republicans of “racism” over a recently passed Texas redistricting bill. He praised Crockett, comparing her to the biblical Esther, saying, “As dark as it is right now, with Jasmine, the light is about to break out and shine.”

Crockett has previously praised Haynes, saying he has been a source of guidance for her.

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In a July 2023 social media statement, Crockett wrote, “I’ve been blessed to know Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III for years, and to have been able to turn to him for guidance wherever, whenever.”

“As a PK, as a North Texan, and as a member of Friendship-West Baptist Church, I couldn’t be prouder to watch Pastor Haynes touch even more lives!” she added.

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Crockett did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment by the time of publication.

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FCC, state AGs to join forces in crackdown on China-linked communications technology

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FIRST ON FOX: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and four state attorneys general are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) creating a partnership to share information and coordinate oversight of high-risk communications technology.

A draft of the MOU, viewed by Fox News Digital, outlines plans to strengthen consumer protection by targeting communications equipment and services, particularly those originating from China or subject to influence by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

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The MOU between the attorneys general of Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. The FCC confirmed to Fox News Digital that Carr met with the attorneys general on Wednesday morning.

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FCC Chair Brendan Carr met with the attorneys general of Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia to discuss the new partnership. (John McDonnell/Getty Images)

For the first time, the agreement will bring federal and state authorities together to share intelligence on China-linked communications technology, coordinate enforcement against security threats, protect consumers from compromised devices and close jurisdictional enforcement gaps.

“The chairman is actively partnering with state attorneys general across the country to promote national security,” the FCC said.

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A person familiar with the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the discussion as “exceptionally productive,” and said it highlighted the need for faster information sharing and stronger safeguards against CCP-linked companies that attempt to infiltrate U.S. markets by rebranding their products to conceal their Chinese origins.

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“This strengthened federal–state partnership reflects the Trump administration’s decisive leadership in turning policy into action and safeguarding the American people from foreign adversaries,” the person told Fox News Digital, warning that U.S. manufacturers and retailers should immediately halt the sale of banned Chinese components “or they will likely face swift federal and state enforcement actions.”

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said that after the meeting, the state attorneys general are “eager to deepen our coordination with the federal government as we work to stop CCP-linked technology from endangering American consumers.”

“We are taking decisive action to keep Communist China out of our homes and networks. This partnership reinforces our commitment to confront and shut down malign Chinese influence in America’s communications infrastructure.”

The national flags of the U.S. and China flutter at the Fairmont Peace Hotel on April 25, 2024, in Shanghai, China. (Wang Gang/VCG via Getty Images)

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The move comes amid mounting concerns that Beijing is using Chinese-made communications equipment to undermine U.S. security and gain strategic footholds in critical networks.

Lawmakers from both parties have long warned that the Chinese government uses educational exchanges, research partnerships and business investments in the U.S. as cover for espionage activities, concerns that mirror growing fears about Beijing’s expanding footprint in America’s communications networks.

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