A federal judge on Friday night issued a ruling that blocks changes to the Election Procedures Manual (EPM) attempted by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes that would have restricted speech and potentially forfeited votes from entire counties who declined to comply with deadlines set by the state. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Liburdi, who was nominated by former President Donald Trump, temporarily blocked Fontes' proposed rule change that would give his office the power to decline to accept the votes from an Arizona county that refused to certify its ballots, even if local officials presented concerns about fraud.

One of the most contentious races in the Arizona Legislature is for the open state senate seat in Legislative District 8. The Arizona Clean Elections Commission sponsored a debate between the two candidates earlier this month. Rozana Holzapfel, a Hispanic small business owner and former police officer new to politics, is running against Democrat Lauren Kuby. Kuby, who Holzapfel described as a “perennial candidate,” is running on a far left progressive platform in the Tempe-based district touting union endorsements and championing the abortion up until birth Proposition 139. Kuby described herself in her opening statement as a “proven advocate for environmental consumer and worker protections. I spearheaded Tempe’s Climate Action Plan, as well as innovations in … solar energy adoption. … My values and vision … embrace social, environmental, racial and economic justice … I'm running to be a champion for climate solutions, for abortion access…”

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., is warning that Democrats want to use the voting laws in Washington, D.C., as a roadmap to get foreigners to vote in all 50 states.

CNN’s Scott Jennings called out Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday after a panelist called Walz a “consequential” pick for Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Walz and Republican Sen. J.D. Vance are set to face off in their first debate as their parties’ running mate picks, hosted by CBS News on Tuesday. On “State of the Union,” former Harris Communications Director Ashley Etienne accused Vance of causing “more damage” to the Republican ticket while praising Walz for bridging the “cultural divide” among voters.

At least 26 people across four states have died as a result of the storm formerly known as Hurricane Helene that has produced widespread flooding and tornadoes.