Arizona woman admits guilt in ballot collection scheme

By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona woman accused of illegally collecting early ballots during the 2020 primary election has pleaded guilty in an agreement with state prosecutors that saw more serious forgery and conspiracy charges dismissed. Thursday’s plea means 66-year-old Guillermina Fuentes could get probation. Reports from the Arizona attorney general’s office alleged Fuentes ran a sophisticated operation to persuade voters to let her gather and in some cases fill out their ballots. She only admitted to returning voted ballots. Fuentes is a well-known Democratic operative in the border city of San Luis. Her lawyer said the ballot collection law suppresses the vote in minority communities that depend on help to access the ballot. Republicans call the practice rife with opportunities for fraud.