On Tuesday, a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge ruled that a number of provisions within the 2023 Elections Procedures Manual “contains … speech restrictions in violations of our Arizona Constitution, misstates or modifies our statutes, and fails to identify any distinction between guidance and legal mandates.”
The order involves the case Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Fontes, which was filed to challenge the constitutionality of many sections from the manual.
“We applaud the court’s protection of Arizonans’ First Amendment rights during the exercise of their sacred privilege to vote in free and fair elections,” said Scot Mussi, President of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club. “The judge correctly realized that certain portions of Secretary Fontes’ illegal and radical manual were nothing more than a brazen attempt to destroy the integrity and transparency of state elections. Secretary Fontes and his team of leftwing ideologues must conform the entire manual to state law as is their statutory duty.”
According to the complaint from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, the 2023 EPM improperly placed protected political speech at risk of criminal prosecution and had an unconstitutional chilling effect on protected political speech.
The court order states, “…Many of the prohibitions listed in the EPM are free speech and protected by both the Arizona Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. What, for example, constitutes a person communicating about voter fraud in a harassing manner? Or, for that matter, ‘posting’ a sign in an intimidating manner? How does a person either do this behavior – whatever it means – or avoid it? And what content printed on a t-shirt might be offensive or harassing to one and not another? Wha
He will do what he was selected not elected ito do: Keep Trump out of the White House.
Rules and laws mean nothing to Marxists. The follow Alinski’s principle: The end justifies the means.
This isn’t over by a long shot. Fontes will appeal all the way to SCOTUS to get the verdict on his favor.
Defund his dept. Fire him. Incarnate.
Filthy liberals. All the same.
Court, schmourt. Fontes doesn’t give a damn about following any laws or directives. It’s all about political power for himself and fellow dims, and will in my opinion do anything towards that end.
Exactly. Leftist/marxists disregard the law; they are IMMORAL, and have no use for ‘laws’ – they’re going to do what THEY want, legal or otherwise. They are (often) tyrannical, hugely selfish, and narcississtic. What a lovely combination…
I find it a hopeful sign when articles like this bring vital news and information to the public. This is information the legacy media and globalists either choose to ignore in the hopes of dumbing down their audience. If we citizens want America to be here for our children and grandchildren then we must be involved beyond just showing up to vote. We must demand that officials, elected or appointed are held responsible for their decisions, behaviors and actions. News on Lawsuits like this lift the veil if only for a short period and allow us to see what the globalist and far left are doing behind the scenes to limit our freedoms and liberties assured by our constitution and laws. This manual and its architects are targeting the public with a direct assault on Arizona’s Constitution via county election officials. They just hope not many people understand what is happening. Globalists win when the public has no interest, understanding or curiosity.
It is disheartening that Democrats choose to cheat any way they can to push their evil agenda. Thankful the Arizona Free Enterprise Club taking Fontes to court.
He was reprimanded for something similar as the Maricopa county recorder but received a slap on the wrist and ignored it. Hoping the courts will make him rewrite it.
Finally some measure of relief. It’s a start.
Arizona voters are watching.. most know ‘zero’ of this – the undercover stealth type of attack to detail is the stealth attack that the left has utilized often.. throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks – or takes eons to remove – one piece at a time – with lingering effect. Guerilla political change – a difficult enemy to battle.
WTF? If Fontes can’t cheat and lie then what can he do? It is heartening to see that some people are taking the rights of Arizonans seriously!
Looks like Fontes may be getting a little taste of his own medicine. Nail the lying, manipulative SOB!!