Judge stops some Arizona voter intimidation rules from being enforced

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Maricopa County Superior Court judge temporarily blocked on Monday some rules for ballot-drop locations that supporters said helped protect voters from intimidation.

This all centers around Democrat Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ Election Procedure Manual that debuted in December 2023.

Judge Jennifer Ryan-Touhill said the manual’s harassment rules expanded on the criminal law, which Fontes isn’t allowed to do.

She also said voter intimidation is already illegal and that the rules were too broad and restricted free speech.

The judge pointed to items in the manual like cracking down on “unspecified ‘disruptive’ behavior,” “unspecified ‘aggressive’ behavior,” somebody raising their voice, using offensive language and questioning voters or poll workers in a “harassing manner,” the ruling stated.

The rules were also for those outside the 75-foot election boundary, which she said hindered free speech.

Fontes is likely to appeal.

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

The manual said election officials may restrict activities that interfere with access to ballot drop-off locations.

In a footnote, the manual gave examples of voter intimidation or harassment, including intentionally following someone delivering ballots to a drop box.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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