PHOENIX — A petition circulator for Arizona’s abortion rights initiative has been indicted for allegedly submitting dozens of forged signatures tied to Proposition 139, the Arizona Abortion Access Act, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Anthony Harris, 53, was indicted April 16 by a Maricopa County grand jury on 13 counts, including two felonies. According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Harris registered as a petition circulator in 2024 even though he was ineligible due to prior convictions.
An investigation revealed that Harris intentionally submitted petitions with forged names in April 2024, as part of the effort to qualify Prop 139 for the ballot.
Charges Against Harris Include:
1 count of aggravated taking identity of another (Class 3 felony)
1 count of fraudulent schemes and practices – willful concealment (Class 5 felony)
1 count of circulator registration violation (Class 1 misdemeanor)
10 counts of petition false signature (Class 1 misdemeanors)
Despite the fraudulent signatures, Prop 139—which Arizona voters approved in November—would have easily qualified for the ballot without them, according to prosecutors. Organizers submitted over 800,000 signatures, more than double the requirement.
The case highlights Arizona’s efforts to safeguard election integrity, especially as the state faces ongoing debates over ballot access and reproductive rights.
