Judge Restricts Arizona Secretary Fontes's Certification Authority, Enjoins Prohibition on Election Intimidation

Sep 28, 2024, 02:09 AM

An Arizona federal judge has issued a ruling that restricts Secretary of State Adrian Fontes from certifying the 2024 election results if any counties withhold certification due to fraud allegations. In a detailed 50-page opinion, the judge enjoined two provisions of Arizona's election procedures manual, including one that allowed the Secretary of State to canvass statewide election results without the participation of counties that refuse to certify, and another that prohibited threatening or intimidating conduct related to elections. The developments could impact the administration of the upcoming election, especially in cases where counties challenge the results.