They also cannot speak to or yell at individuals within that perimeter unless spoken to first. The order will be in effect for two weeks in Arizona.
PHOENIX — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered armed members of groups monitoring ballot drop boxes in Arizona to stay at least 250 feet away from the locations following complaints that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters.
"It is paramount that we balance the rights of the defendant to engage in their constitutionally protected First Amendment activity with the interest in the plaintiffs and in voters casting a vote free of harassment and intimidation," Liburdi said. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, has called on voters to immediately report any intimidation to police and file a complaint with his office. Arizona's Secretary of State Katie Hobbs last week said her office received six cases of potential voter intimidation to the state attorney general and the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as a threatening email sent to the state elections director.
Alexander Kolodin, the lead attorney for the defendants, said the League of Women Voters of Arizona ultimately failed to completely shut down the monitors' mission. Still, the groups are not happy about the limits. Liburdi concluded that"while this case certainly presents serious questions, the Court cannot craft an injunction without violating the First Amendment." The judge is a Trump appointee and a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Judge keeps armed groups away from Arizona ballot drop boxesPHOENIX (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered armed members of groups monitoring ballot drop boxes in Arizona to stay at least 250 feet away from the locations following complaints that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters.
Read more »
Judge orders armed group away from Arizona ballot drop boxesA federal judge has ordered armed members of a group monitoring ballot drop boxes in Arizona to stay at least 250 feet away from the locations following complaints that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters
Read more »
Judge orders armed group away from Arizona ballot drop boxesA federal judge on Tuesday ordered armed members of a group monitoring ballot drop boxes in Arizona to stay at least 250 feet away from the locations following complaints that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Liburdi said members of Clean Elections USA, its leader and anyone working with them are also barred from filming or following anyone within 75 feet (23 meters) of a ballot drop box or the entrance to a building that houses one. The temporary restraining order was requested by the League of Women Voters of Arizona after Clean Elections USA, encouraged people to watch 24-hour ballot boxes in Maricopa County, Arizona’s most populous county.
Read more »
Judge orders armed group away from Arizona ballot drop boxesA federal judge has ordered armed members of a group monitoring ballot drop boxes in Arizona to stay at least 250 feet away from the locations following complaints that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters.
Read more »
As one drop box monitor lawsuit appealed, another asks for narrower injunction to curb any voter intimidationDays after a federal Judge in Phoenix declined to stop ballot drop box monitors at Arizona voting sites, a similar case is headed his way.
Read more »
Justice Department says 'vigilante ballot security efforts' in Arizona are likely illegal | CNN PoliticsThe Justice Department on Monday waded into a closely watched election lawsuit in Arizona where several civic groups have accused right-wing activists of intimidating voters at ballot drop boxes.
Read more »