Cases of Arizona Voter Intimidation Prompts Increased Security of Ballot Drop Boxes

After six cases of alleged voter intimidation that took place at drop box locations in Arizona were referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ), authorities deployed men in tactical gear to monitor ballot drop boxes.

On Monday, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in a release that voter harassment could include gathering around ballot drop boxes and questioning voters, brandishing weapons, taking pictures of people voting and following or chasing voters who are attempting to drop off their ballots, and can all be considered voter intimidation.

Arizona Voter Intimidation

Hobbs said that the situation was unacceptable and added she would continue to forward reports she received to law enforcement. She also urged law enforcement personnel to take action to protect voters from intimidation.

On Monday, Attorney General Merrick Garland, referring to voter intimidation at Arizona ballot drop boxes, said that the Justice Department has an obligation to guarantee a free and fair vote by everyone who is qualified to vote. He argued that they will not permit voters to be intimidated, as per ABC News.

There have been five recorded complaints between Oct. 17 and Oct. 22, outside ballot drop boxes at 501 S. 3rd Ave. in Phoenix and at the Mesa Juvenile Court, both of which are in Maricopa County. Many of the complaints described an instance of groups of individuals loitering near the drop boxes, filming and photographing voters as they returned their ballots.

In some cases, the individuals also took photographs of the voters' license plates when they were at the ballot drop boxes. One report also noted that the suspects were dressed in "camo-clad gear" and photos provided by election officials showed at least two armed individuals outside the Mesa drop box on Friday.

According to CNN, the situation comes as more than 7 million ballots have already been cast across the 39 states on Monday, based on data provided by election officials, Edison Research, and Catalist.

However, with only two weeks left until Nov. 8, law enforcement agencies and officials are turning their focus toward Election Day and the possibility of violence amid threats to election workers and reports of voter intimidation.

Increased Security

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates and Recorder Stephen Richer said that they were deeply concerned for the safety of voters who were only exercising their right to vote. On Monday, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said that two armed individuals who were loitering around a ballot drop box did not break the law but condemned attempts to intimidate voters.

Penzone added that the situation has prompted authorities to increase security surrounding ballot drop boxes. He added that two cases of voter intimidation were already forwarded to country prosecutors.

The official said that every day, he was dedicating a considerable amount of resources just to give Americans the confidence to vote while being reassured of their safety. However, he called being forced to do so "absurd."

The situation regarding election-conspiracy theories that began in 2020 has only spread further, especially in Arizona. While the state's results were certified in November of that year, some Republicans brought in the outside firm Cyber Ninjas to audit the vote, the New York Magazine reported.