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Monday, Oct. 17, 2022

Was a member of the Arizona Democratic Party found guilty of ‘ballot harvesting?’


yes

Arizona Democratic Party member and former San Luis mayor Guillermina Fuentes was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years’ probation for collecting four acquiantences' mail-in ballots outside a polling site and placing them in a ballot drop-off bin during the August 2020 primary election — a practice informally known as "ballot harvesting." Her act violates a 2016 ballot-abuse law that says only a member of the family, member of the household or caregiver can collect ballots on another's behalf.

Election officials confirmed that the ballots were legitimate and the envelopes were signed by qualified voters. After considering a lighter sentence, the judge sentenced Fuentes to jail time, believing she did not accept responsibility for her crime.

Ballot harvesting is not a widespread issue in Arizona, with this being the first case ever prosecuted in the state.  

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