The judge in question didn’t do that. Not to repeat, but he found no evidence of intimidation, and he most certainly did NOT say that “he approved of white people” engaging in such.
Have you looked at the plaintiffs request? Did they include any decent evidence of voter intimidation? Or did they just assume that dudes with guns hanging around ballot drop boxes were voter intimidation? Remember, Az is an open carry state. Dudes openly carrying guns are not uncommon. To those in states without such, guns would appear automatically to be intimidating.
Judges need to see actual evidence. It appears none was submitted, however, I have not found what the plaintiffs submitted.
The judge issued a restraining order yesterday FWIW.
Don’t go within 75 feet of a drop box.
Don’t follow people going to drop boxes.
Do not speak or yell at people going to drop boxes.
Do not openly carry a firearm or wear body armor with 250 feet of a drop box.
Do not dox people for depositing more than one ballot.
Don’t take photos or record people within 75 feet of a drop box.
It also compels the group and at least one named individual to post statements on Truth Social and other places about what Arizona election law actually says, which contradicts claims that they have previously been making.
Stuff like: “Any past statement that it is always illegal to deposit multiple ballots in a ballot drop box is incomplete; a family member, household member, or caregiver can legally do so.”
So while I don’t know what evidence was presented, it was enough evidence to get the judge to take this action. And even if an action, such as wearing body armor is legal, it can be illegal to do it if the purpose of doing so is to intimidate people.
It’s a Sign of the Times that a judge even has to say this.
“Really? I can’t pace up and down openly brandishingcarrying my legal weapon in front of voters headed to the polls? That’s a violation of MY rights!!” Rant-rant-rant…
Right? A man wearing body armor, carrying a rifle, and yelling is obviously intimidating even if each of those things is legal. It’s difficult to see how someone could argue otherwise.
Three men who claim to be former Proud Boys have been hired as poll workers in Miami-Dade County ahead of next week’s midterm elections. However, one of the men, Gabriel Garcia, has been placed on a standby list after the elections department learned he participated in the armed insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Miami-Dade poll workers are required to “be respectful of all voters” and “remain nonpartisan while at the polls,” among other things. But it’s unclear how well the men will adhere to the stipulations.
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I agree this is clearly intimidation. However, not all posters in this thread would agree. For one in particular this was just fine and was protected by the 1st and 2nd Amendments. Nice to see this judge finally disagreed.
My perspective is indeed probably swayed by my residence in Maryland, where we largely believe in fair and free elections. I can’t say enough about how committed my fellow election judges have been to the process.