Big Idea
- A State Grand Jury has indicted two people for “ballot harvesting”
- Ballot abuse under Arizona law is a class 6 felony
- Defendants can face prison and fines
- Read more...
A Grand Jury has indicted two people for “ballot abuse,” aka ballot harvesting.
YUMA - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that a State Grand Jury indicted Guillermina Fuentes and Alma Juarez, both of San Luis, Arizona, for 1 count each of Ballot Abuse, also known as “ballot harvesting.”
The indictment alleges that during the August 2020 Primary Election, Fuentes and Juarez knowingly collected four voted ballots from another person, in violation of Arizona law. The early ballots were deposited into a ballot box on Election Day, and were processed and counted by the Yuma County Recorder during the election. Arizona law only provides for a family member, household member, or caregiver of the voter to collect voted or unvoted early ballots from another person.
Ballot abuse under Arizona law is a class 6 felony and each defendant faces up to two years in prison and a $150,000 fine.
This investigation was conducted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Special Investigations Section, Election Integrity Unit, Special Agent Bill Knuth.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson is prosecuting this case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
No booking photographs are available.
Copy of filing here.
