Judge Orders Release of Voter List in Arizona

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge mandated Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to release the names of approximately 98,000 voters whose citizenship documents were not confirmed due to a registration glitch. Judge Scott Blaney emphasized that the requested information is a public record, dismissing Fontes' claims that releasing it would endanger lives as unsubstantiated. The ruling came after the Strong Communities Foundation, which seeks to identify ineligible voters, filed a public records request in September. Despite concerns over potential harassment, the judge noted there was no evidence of any specific threats against the voters. The list must be released by November 4, but the organization is prohibited from contacting the affected voters until after the election. This decision follows findings that many of these voters are likely U.S. citizens capable of providing documented proof of citizenship.