UPDATE: Judge dismisses RNC pre-election lawsuit to force Maricopa County to hire more Republican poll workers (READ Minute Entry)

Maricopa County properly hired enough Republican poll workers for a lawful 2022 election. The RNC conceded that point *before* November, and today a judge dismissed their pre-election lawsuit designed to force changes to make sure more Republicans would fill the positions.

Judge Katherine Cooper conducted oral argument earlier this month and her Minute Entry (below) released today. She found that the allegations are now moot as to the 2022 election (especially since the Republican National Committee's amended complaint had conceded the County had followed the law)and not yet ripe for 2024 or beyond.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer was happy the case is dismissed, noting that the County does nothing to discriminate against GOP poll workers as was claimed. He explained to Arizona's Law:

"We have the same standards for all temporary workers -- whether Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, or otherwise.  Those standards are of course equally and fairly applied.  Neither the Board nor I discriminated against our own Party.  In fact, of the over 2,500 temporary workers recruited for the November 2022 general election, we had almost the exact same number of Republicans and Democrats working as temporary workers. And this ruling affirms that."

The extended early voting period and Election Day Vote Centers have changed the counties' poll worker needs significantly. On Election Day, there are still the very long hours, and now the locations are more geographically dispersed.

We have reached out to RNC attorney Tim LaSota for reaction, too, and will update as warranted. 

"AZ Law" includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona's Politics on the internet. 

AZ Law airs on non-profit Sun Sounds of Arizona, a statewide reading service that provides audio access to printed material for people who cannot hold or read print material due to a disability. If you know someone who could benefit from this 24/7 service, please let them know about member-supported Sun Sounds. And, YOU can donate or listen here. 

Previous episodes of AZ Law can be streamed or downloaded here, or wherever you get your podcasts.