An Arizona judge on Monday rejected a Republican attempt to block most early and mail voting, The Arizona Republic reports.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen rejected a lawsuit from the Arizona Republican Party seeking to overturn a law that allows citizens to vote by mail.
"Is the Arizona Legislature prohibited by the Arizona Constitution from enacting voting laws that include no-excuse mail-in voting? The answer is no,” the judge said.
Jantzen noted that no-excuse mail voting was approved in 1991 with security protections.
"It is important to note what this case is not about allegations of fraud in the voting process," the judge added. "It is not about politics. It is not even about whether the parties believe mail-in voting is appropriate.”
Early voting:
Jantzen also rejected the GOP’s request for a preliminary injunction to block nearly all early voting in this year’s general election.
The GOP request would have required millions of Arizona voters to get their ballots at their polling place and submit them there.
The GOP said it will appeal the ruling.
"We recognize a ruling in our favor on the case is a lot to ask from a Superior Court judge," attorney Alexander Kolodin said Monday, adding that he is reviewing whether to appeal to a multi-judge panel or the state Supreme Court.
Bipartisan praise:
Members of both parties praised Monday’s ruling.
"Not only is voting by mail constitutional, it’s safe, secure, and has been widely used by Arizona voters for decades," said Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.
Stephen Richer, the Republican Maricopa County Recorder, also hailed the ruling.
"I think we have a very strong state court system and federal court system," he said.
