Political news updates from Maricopa County: From voter intimidation to Loraine Pellegrino charged

Courts say 'Tipped Workers Protection Act' is not deceptive.

UPDATED AUG 7, 2024

All the latest political and legal updates from Maricopa County.

Maricopa County judge halts enforcement of Voter Intimidation Rules

A Maricopa County judge has ruled that Arizona's rules designed to prevent voter intimidation and harassment are overly broad and infringe on free speech rights. This ruling came in response to regulations that prohibited activities such as following, photographing, videotaping, or yelling at voters outside drop boxes and polling places.

Voters registered as Independent or Party Not Declared must specify which party's ballot they would like to vote. (Photo: Sora Shimazaki)

The regulations, part of Arizona's comprehensive Election Procedures Manual, aim to protect voters and poll workers from intimidation and harassment. These rules specifically target actions such as using threatening or offensive language, photographing voters or poll workers, and other forms of harassment.

Despite their intent, the judge determined that the voter intimidation rules are unenforceable at present. The injunction was issued as part of a broader lawsuit challenging various aspects of the election manual. The judge highlighted that many of the prohibitions listed in the manual are considered free speech, protected by both the Arizona Constitution and the US Constitution.

Courts say 'Tipped Workers Protection Act' is not deceptive, can remain on ballot

A Maricopa County judge ruled in favor of the Arizona Legislature's 'Tipped Workers Protection Act', stating it should remain on November's ballot for voters to decide.

The state's voters have previously approved minimum wage increases in 2006 and 2016.

Raise the Wage AZ, part of the national One Fair Wage organization, filed a lawsuit against the legislative referral in June, claiming its title and intent are "deceptive". Judge Peter Thompson rejected the basis of the group's arguments, noting the name of the act − now called Proposition 138 − isn't its official title and even if it was, it wouldn't deceive voters.

The proposal would allow employers to reduce tipped workers' pay by 25% below minimum wage if the workers' base salary plus tips equals whatever the current minimum wage is, plus $2 an hour extra. Existing law lets employers reduce pay by up to $3 an hour below minimum wage as long as workers make more than minimum wage.

First person charged in AZ fake elector case

Loraine Pellegrino, a Republican activist who signed a document falsely claiming Donald Trump had won Arizona in 2020 has become the first person to be convicted in the state’s fake elector case.

A past president of the group Ahwatukee Republican Women, Pellegrino has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false document, Arizona Attorney General’s Office spokesperson Richie Taylor said Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, court records show Pellegrino was sentenced to unsupervised probation. Before the plea, she faced nine felony charges. Seventeen other people had been charged in the case.