Allegations that voters may have been intimidated in highly politicized Arizona county have been sent to state and federal law enforcement for possible prosecution, The Daily Beast confirms Did.

Sophia Solis, a spokeswoman for Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, said in an email that Hobbes’ office “referred to reports from voters to the DOJ and AG.” Voters were about to drop off their ballots in the early voting drop-boxes on Monday. ”

“The location was the dropbox location of the Maricopa County Juvenile Justice Court,” the email added. “SOS has spoken with voters, notified Maricopa County, and she referred the report to the DOJ and her AG’s office for further investigation.”

voter, whose name Redacted with a copy of the complaint Solis shared with the Daily Beastfiled an online complaint at 7:28 pm on October 17, saying the alleged incident occurred about 50 minutes ago.

“A group of people hanging out near the ballot box were taking videos and taking pictures when my wife and I approached the ballot box, accusing us of being mules. “They took our license plates and pictures of us and chased us out of the parking lot in one of the cars they kept filming.”

Meanwhile, the founder of a QAnon-affiliated organization, who was recently spotted staking dropboxes in Maricopa, has distanced herself from the suspect, saying she “doesn’t know who he is.” claims.

Early Voting for the 2022 Midterm Elections in progress in Arizonahas been using ballot drop boxes since 2020 when 40 US states introduced them as a way to help people safely vote for president as the COVID pandemic rages on. There have been no reports of fraud, vandalism, or any other incident that may have influenced the outcome of the election that elevated Joe Biden to the presidency two years ago. According to an Associated Press survey of state election officials on both sides of the aisle.

But right-wingers continue to claim that election fraud is widespread because of mailboxes, a claim first made public by former President Donald Trump and like conservative agitator Dinesh D’Souza. amplified by people 2,000 Mules They made false claims that Democratic operatives stuffed unmonitored ballot boxes with fake ballots.

Since then, not only conservative extremist groups, A pro-Trump politician running for elected office— Called on members and supporters to stake out dropboxes across the country because Arizona has become a particular hotspot. As boxwatchers spread across the country, officials worry about possible voter intimidation is expressed.

@TrumperMel via Truth Social

Melody Jennings, the minister who looked up QAnon’s name last Saturday when he appeared on a webcast of Clean Elections USA founder and indicted Trump adviser Steve Bannon, said that not only Arizona but also Seventeen other states also said they were “ready” for volunteers.

“We have people on the ground doing the work.” Jennings told Bannonher “people” were “positioned around the box with iPhones, Androids, and their own cameras. By the way, we can take videos and take pictures.” Did.

Clean Elections USA began monitoring drop-boxes during this summer’s primaries. Jennings, dubbed “TrumperMel” online, used Trumpeter on Truth Social. This is a kind of “dry runsaid Jennings.

Clean Elections USA by Truth Social

In a social media post, Jennings wrote, “10 people in groups around every drop box! Not two people. That’s no deterrent. Lights, food, lawn chairs, playing cards, (no music) videos.” , let’s take pictures, don’t talk to them, obey the law.”

On Monday, Jennings received an urgent request from Truth Social.

“Every Arizona Patriot ends up in either the Mesa Box or the Phoenix Box…there are only two outside…for now,” she wrote. Even my people out there are doing their thing.”

The following night, Jennings posted a blurry photo of what she claimed was a “mule” caught in the act at a dropbox in Mesa, part of Maricopa County.

“This guy. I drove backwards to avoid plate detection,” she claimed. She took the ballot out of her shirt. I need someone to help the people out there tonight. A lot of you!

@TrumperMel via Truth Social

Jennings, however, maintains that the postman Katie Hobbs referred to law enforcement had nothing to do with her.

“The individual they are talking about has absolutely nothing to do with Clean Elections USA,” Jennings told The Daily Beast on Thursday. not.”

Other dropbox watching groups in Arizona have reportedly changed their minds on ideas such as the Lions of Liberty, hijacked by the world elite, communists, leftists, shadowy government bureaucrats, and fake news. weakened. ”

They had dozens of observers in Yavapai County and were preparing to mobilize for their “Operation Drop Box” initiative last week, but the nonprofit Protect Democracy, which advocates voter intimidation, reportedly called things off after receiving a cease and desist letter from .

“With a name and a little practice, we’re on it,” said Lions of Liberty leader Luke Cyrano. told 3TV/CBS 5“When I’m on the road or driving, I get closer and look at the box from a distance.”

Reports of possible voter intimidation by dropbox watchers in Arizona first surfaced at a press conference on Oct. 13 Maricopa County Recorder Stephen RicherThere are cameras monitoring Maricopa’s two drop-boxes, Richer said.

“Attempts to deter and intimidate legitimate voters are illegal and should be reported immediately, not just to us, but to law enforcement,” Richer said.

Richter, a Republican, received death threats for not sympathizing with Donald Trump’s “big lie.” In August, a Missouri public school employee was indicted on federal charges after telling his Richer in a 2021 voicemail: Drop this deal or let them cause you any more trouble and your ass will never be at your next small board meeting.