Judge denies GOP attempt to change signature verification rules for mail

PHOENIX — The state Court of Appeals has tossed out a claim by the Arizona Republican Party and some of its allies that could have thrown a wrench into the ability of people to vote by mail and, more to the point, have their ballots tallied.

In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge panel declined to rule on claims that Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes acted illegally when he concluded that signatures on early ballot envelopes can be verified by comparing them to any other signatures on file. Attorney Kory Langhofer who represents the challengers, said that is contrary to state law.