An Arizona judge has ruled that some residents with disabilities may cast their ballots via videoconference if necessary.
Yesterday, a Maricopa County judge ruled that county recorders in Arizona could conduct video voting on a case-by-case basis and only if a voter’s disability can’t be accommodated at the polls or by mail. In preparation, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs has administered guidelines to Arizona’s 15 county reporters, from Coconino to Santa Cruz. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner declined a request by Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich to block the practice. The judge agreed with Brnovich that state law requires “special election boards” that assist people who can't mark their own ballot to meet with the voter in person. But he says that law is trumped by a federal law requiring that voters with disabilities be accommodated. Democratic Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes used videoconferencing to help 10 people vote during the August primary. Brnovich and Republican Gov. Doug Ducey say that's illegal.
