Judge refuses to ban group from watching Arizona polling places

A federal judge Friday refused to bar a group from monitoring outdoor ballot boxes in Arizona's largest county, saying that to do so could violate its constitutional rights.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael Liburdi issued the ruling Friday. Local and federal law enforcement have been alarmed by reports of people watching outdoor 24-hour ballot boxes in Maricopa County — Arizona's most populous county — and rural Yavapai County as midterm elections near.

Liburdi had merged two cases alleging voter intimidation at outdoor ballot boxes, weighing whether to ban people from monitoring the sites, taking photos and videos and following voters.