Who should be able to review the green envelope that most Arizona voters sign and use to return their ballots?
That question is central in a case that goes to trial starting Thursday, in which former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is seeking access to the about 1.3 million envelopes used by Maricopa County voters in 2022. Lake lost that election to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs by 17,117 votes, although Lake never conceded.
Instead, Lake has filed a handful of lawsuits casting doubt about election procedures and seeking to convince a judge she is the governor. Unable to provide evidence of her claims that her election was "rigged" during two prior trials, Lake and her lawyer's latest courtroom pursuit deals in public records.
Specifically, they want to review the green envelopes that include a voter's signature, address and, if the voter includes it, a phone number.
Lake and Bryan Blehm, her attorney, argue the envelopes are a public record. The county contends they are not, and that a ruling allowing the envelopes to be made public risks identity fraud and infringing on privacy that could have a chilling effect on voters.
"This is about voter privacy and security," said Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who is expected to testify during the trial and is being sued by Lake. "Lake wants us to make public the signatures and cellphone numbers of all early voters. No county in Arizona has ever done this. It would have a chilling effect on voting, it would weaken the...
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