Rachel Maddow Invites Roopali Desai to Share Insight on Arizona’s Ballot Audit

Rachel Maddow Invites Roopali Desai to Share Insight on Arizona’s Ballot Audit

Representing Arizona Democrats in a lawsuit to stop a ballot audit, Roopali Desai appeared on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show to discuss the Republican-majority state senate’s effort to recount Maricopa County’s 2.1 million ballots from the 2020 presidential election. Roopali expressed concern about the audit’s lack of transparency and long-term impacts on the public’s trust in democratic processes. Questions swirl around the recount, but answers are hard to find. As Roopali explains, it’s unclear what Cyber Ninjas, the Florida-based private contractor conducting the audit, wants to uncover or their procedures. Despite a judge’s orders to disclose procedures proving compliance with state law, Cyber Ninjas filed a motion saying this would create security issues or reveal trade secrets. Moreover, Roopali contends because the operation is partially tax-dollar-funded, taxpayers...

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Roopali Desai Included in Business Insider’s List of AZ Cannabis Industry Power Players

Roopali Desai Included in Business Insider’s List of AZ Cannabis Industry Power Players

After Arizona voters passed Proposition 207 to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, Business Insider highlighted 11 power players who are shaping the new, potentially multi-million-dollar market. As the attorney responsible for drafting the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, Roopali Desai was featured. The Campaign, which was supported by the Arizona Dispensaries Association (ADA), contracted Roopali to craft the initiative’s language. She and law partner, Andy Gaona, continually revised the language after meeting with stakeholders, including company executives, criminal justice advocates, first responders, and others. Moving forward, Roopali and the firm will continue to work with ADA as well as the Arizona Department of Health Services to implement the new legislation. A leading election lawyer in Arizona, Roopali is known for her experience representing initiative, referendum, and...

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Roopali represents four initiative campaigns who filed a Petition for Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an order permitting them to use the E-Qual system to obtain online signatures

Arizona Capitol Times Gets Roopali Desai’s Take on Legislative Proposals

When covering three legislative proposals (HCR2032, HCR2046 and SCR1020) that could scale back Arizona voters’ lawmaking powers and upend Arizona’s ballot initiative and referral system, Arizona Capitol Times turned to Coppersmith Brockelman’s Roopali Desai for expert commentary. A highly regarded election and political lawyer, Roopali highlighted how the proposed laws are an attempt to undermine voters’ constitutional rights to legislate co-equally with the legislative branch. Moreover, she says, these changes could result in lengthy ballots and costly elections, ultimately leading to voter disengagement.  Roopali, who is a partner in the firm’s litigation group, advises clients on all aspects of election law, including campaign finance compliance, disclosure and reporting requirements, and bringing and defending election challenges. She is especially known for her experience representing initiative, referendum, and recall campaigns, and...

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Roopali represents four initiative campaigns who filed a Petition for Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an order permitting them to use the E-Qual system to obtain online signatures

KJZZ Taps Roopali Desai to Discuss Arizona’s Initiative to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Representing the “Smart and Safe Arizona Act,” election attorney Roopali Desai was tapped by KJZZ News Radio to discuss the initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona.  Roopali explained that backers of the initiative ran the ballot language by legislative council members for feedback. She reinforced the significance of this review, noting that the 16-page initiative includes details about how the money from fines and civil penalties will be used.The hope is for the money to go toward community colleges, public safety, and other related programs. The legislative council’s recommendations will be used to revise the ballot language to ensure it is abundantly clear.  Roopali advises clients on all aspects of political and election law including campaign strategy, campaign finance compliance, disclosure and reporting requirements, and bringing and...

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Roopali represents four initiative campaigns who filed a Petition for Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an order permitting them to use the E-Qual system to obtain online signatures

Roopali Desai Weighs in on Recent Update to Arizona’s Elections Procedure Manual in KJZZ Interview

As one of the state’s leading election and political law attorneys, Roopali Desai provided insights to KJZZ news radio about the recent and critical update to the Elections Procedure Manual. Roopali points out there have been significant changes in election law since the last manual was put into effect in 2014. The updated manual, which Secretary of State Katie Hobbs released on August 9, is intended to provide specific procedural guidance and explanations to help county officials conduct elections that follow current law. Roopali noted there is a 60-day period for the community to provide feedback on the manual. The Secretary’s office is working with county officials to get their feedback, and will revise the manual as needed. The updated manual will be submitted to the Attorney General’s...

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Roopali represents four initiative campaigns who filed a Petition for Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an order permitting them to use the E-Qual system to obtain online signatures

Roopali Desai Discusses Faithless Electors with KTVK-TV

In a sit-down interview with KTVK-TV in Phoenix (Ch. 3), attorney Roopali Desai recently broke down the legalities and repercussions of “faithless electors” who vote for presidential candidates that didn’t win the popular vote in their states. She explained to viewers just how common these electors are, the consequences such electors face and whether they could really change the outcome of an election. azfamily.com 3TV | Phoenix Breaking News, Weather, Sport...

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