A federal judge could rule as early as Friday on a request from the Arizona Democratic Party to restrict certain Republican activities at polling places to prevent voter intimidation. The judge heard oral arguments Thursday in Phoenix.
Democrats argue Donald Trump’s calls for people to watch the polls to prevent a rigged election is encouraging voter intimidation. They want a judge to block the Arizona Republican Party, the Trump campaign and a group called "Stop the Steal" from activities like challenging voters, or following them and taking photos.
But Tim LaSota representing the Republican Party said the Democrats’ request would chill individual rights. He said his party can’t be responsible for everyone outside a polling place.
"I don’t know how one can enjoin someone from getting in a car and driving across the country to a polling place to cause trouble. Obviously the Republican Party doesn’t condone that, nobody condones that," said LaSota.
A lawyer with the Trump campaign called the lawsuit a publicity stunt but Democrats told the judge they were trying to prevent a “travesty” on Election Day.