Judge considers stopping Phoenix ballot drop box watchers

A federal judge in Arizona wants to make a decision by Friday on whether to order members of a group to stop looking at ballot boxes.

The groups Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and Voto Latino asked the judge to stop members of Clean Elections USA from following voters and taking photos in the state's most populous county.

A broad restraining order would be unconstitutional according to the attorney.

He hoped to make a decision by Friday but could still make a decision over the weekend.

Clean Elections USA is being accused of intimidating voters by the League of Women Voters.

According to the suit, the groups Lions of Liberty and the Yavapai County Preparedness Team, which are associated with the far-right anti-government group Oath Keepers, have undertaken their own efforts to watch ballot boxes and film voters.

The film "2000 Mules", which claims that people were paid to travel among drop boxes and stuff them with fraudulent votes during the 2020 presidential election, has been embraced by election deniers.

There is no evidence to support the idea that a network of Democrat-associated ballot mules has plotted to collect and deliver votes.

Sheriff Paul Penzone said this week that his office has begun providing security around drop boxes. Two people dressed in bulletproof vests and carrying guns showed up at a drop box in Mesa, Arizona.

According to the secretary of state, her office has received at least six cases of voter intimidation and a threatening email.

The U.S. attorney's office in Arizona said it will prosecute anyone who violates federal law.

Federal officials said local police officers would be the "front line in efforts to ensure that all qualified voters are able to vote free of intimidation or other election abuses."

The office said it would protect the rights of Arizonans to vote. Several election threat related cases pending federal felony charges from alleged criminal activity arising out of our State show will not go unaddressed.

Voters are urged to report any intimidation immediately to police and file a complaint with the attorney general's office.

This type of misguided behavior is against the laws and values of our state.