One of my legal heroes, Gerry Hebert, texted me earlier this week to share some thoughts about Arizona Alliance of Retired Persons v. Clean Elections, one of the two pending Arizona voter intimidation cases. In Alliance of Retired Persons, a judge declined to put a stop to armed militia-types who were trying to intimidate people as they cast their ballots at drop boxes.
I live in Pinal County Arizona. I got an email an hour ago that the GOP is trying to change vote counting in Pinal County … one week from the election! They are trying to hand count all ballots instead of two precincts as the law states. There is no time to find and train volunteers which is I am sure what they are counting on.. chaos. The GOP AG started this clown show a couple of days ago. The hand counting would take weeks and there is no way that people from both parties could supervise this hand counting. The GOP is trying to steal this state.
We live in Sedona AZ (Yavapai County). We have been on the mail in rolls for years. We receive our ballots about 3 weeks before Election Day. We always fill out immediately and drop off at the drop box located at the City Hall. This year is the first time I was ever nervous going to the drop box and that was before the reports of armed watchers. Of course, in future elections I will be even more concerned but I won’t let that stop me from exercising the most fundamental right we have as citizens. I truly hope these groups who are trying to discourage people from voting will realize their harassment won’t work. This deplorable (Hillary had it right) situation is one more thing that can be laid at the feet of TFG!
As always, greatly appreciate the information you share with us. Thank you Joyce!
Fascinating and encouraging. I so appreciate the courage and diligence of these litigants and lawyers - they are on the front lines, protecting democracy on behalf of us all. Thank you too, Joyce, Gerry Hebert, and Armand Derfner for giving me a fuller understanding of the cases.
THESE ARE THE STORIES MY FATHER TOLD ME 50 SOME ODD YEARS AGO!!!! My dad grew up under Mussolini. He would say that there would be armed men that would watch you during elections.
Also, and please correct me if I am wrong, I learned in history/government the same amount of years ago that while we have freedoms, they are limited. Because what you may claim as YOUR freedom, may impinge on MY freedom.
Thank you for letting us know how hard and quickly civil rights lawyers are working to try to protect our voting rights. This was encouraging, while so much news leaves us with only the fear of impending doom. Vote!
Unfortunately, as obvious as the violations are in Arizona, they are better hidden and embedded in what has become the new normal. Voter ID, change polling locations, and worse. Vote early, wore by mail, vote in person up until next Tuesday… just vote, our future depends on it.
All I can say is wonderful , the law as it was truly intended survives. In the first case I would use the UK term that the judge and the decision were “bent”. It seems like the extremists of the GOP as a whole are “bent”
Question. so if I feel harassed at a drop box. Who would I call to get help, file a law suit in my state or city? It has not happened to me, but would i call 911 and then call league of women voters to help file a law suit? Just wondering. Thank you
Good late evening JV on this precipice of good news and hope along the way. I remember during the 2020 election campaign, Arizona was a cold cruel place of election deniers. It got pretty ugly and I was so happy to hear of the Judge’s ruling today addressing the unlawful abuses of voters being stalked and intimidated there. I do hope more states will address this issue in this way and quickly. Thanks for this news. One step for mankind.
I live in Pinal County Arizona. I got an email an hour ago that the GOP is trying to change vote counting in Pinal County … one week from the election! They are trying to hand count all ballots instead of two precincts as the law states. There is no time to find and train volunteers which is I am sure what they are counting on.. chaos. The GOP AG started this clown show a couple of days ago. The hand counting would take weeks and there is no way that people from both parties could supervise this hand counting. The GOP is trying to steal this state.
Joyce I always enjoy your explanations and summations of current events. In this current climate facts are so needed. Thank you for doing this.
We live in Sedona AZ (Yavapai County). We have been on the mail in rolls for years. We receive our ballots about 3 weeks before Election Day. We always fill out immediately and drop off at the drop box located at the City Hall. This year is the first time I was ever nervous going to the drop box and that was before the reports of armed watchers. Of course, in future elections I will be even more concerned but I won’t let that stop me from exercising the most fundamental right we have as citizens. I truly hope these groups who are trying to discourage people from voting will realize their harassment won’t work. This deplorable (Hillary had it right) situation is one more thing that can be laid at the feet of TFG!
As always, greatly appreciate the information you share with us. Thank you Joyce!
Fascinating and encouraging. I so appreciate the courage and diligence of these litigants and lawyers - they are on the front lines, protecting democracy on behalf of us all. Thank you too, Joyce, Gerry Hebert, and Armand Derfner for giving me a fuller understanding of the cases.
THESE ARE THE STORIES MY FATHER TOLD ME 50 SOME ODD YEARS AGO!!!! My dad grew up under Mussolini. He would say that there would be armed men that would watch you during elections.
Also, and please correct me if I am wrong, I learned in history/government the same amount of years ago that while we have freedoms, they are limited. Because what you may claim as YOUR freedom, may impinge on MY freedom.
Thank you for letting us know how hard and quickly civil rights lawyers are working to try to protect our voting rights. This was encouraging, while so much news leaves us with only the fear of impending doom. Vote!
Unfortunately, as obvious as the violations are in Arizona, they are better hidden and embedded in what has become the new normal. Voter ID, change polling locations, and worse. Vote early, wore by mail, vote in person up until next Tuesday… just vote, our future depends on it.
All I can say is wonderful , the law as it was truly intended survives. In the first case I would use the UK term that the judge and the decision were “bent”. It seems like the extremists of the GOP as a whole are “bent”
Thank you Joyce!
Litigation is the effective civilized alternative to weaponized confrontation and the rule of strongmen.
Question. so if I feel harassed at a drop box. Who would I call to get help, file a law suit in my state or city? It has not happened to me, but would i call 911 and then call league of women voters to help file a law suit? Just wondering. Thank you
What purpose is served by vigilantes standing near vote-collection boxes with weapons? Do they plan to shoot people they suspect are mules?
Joyce, you continue to be a gift to us all. Thank you!
Those intimidation groups in Arizona are getting paid big bucks to dissuade voters from voting. Think about it. It’s against the law.
Excellent results on the second try. It is frightening to think of being intimidated like this.
Good late evening JV on this precipice of good news and hope along the way. I remember during the 2020 election campaign, Arizona was a cold cruel place of election deniers. It got pretty ugly and I was so happy to hear of the Judge’s ruling today addressing the unlawful abuses of voters being stalked and intimidated there. I do hope more states will address this issue in this way and quickly. Thanks for this news. One step for mankind.
And this has been addressed today in Arizona. Hopefully other states will follow this example who need to.