Graphics Order

I have a set of graphics which I converted from a layer. I want to rearrange the order of these graphics but when I try to do any order operations (Bring to Front, etc.) on any of the graphics, nothing happens. So now the labels are stuck behind their respective curves and polygons. This has always worked before; I don't understand why it is not working now. I tried in both layout and data views. Thanks!

EDIT: I tried randomly grouping and ungrouping the various graphics and then ordering magically started working. I still don't understand the problem, though.