Arizona: Not MAGA enough: 2020 election skeptic quit his job after facing blowback from angry election deniers | Rob Kuznia, Scott Bronstein and Donie O’Sullivan/CNN

Bob Bartelsmeyer, the former Cochise County elections director, faced a tumultuous tenure marked by local election deniers, harassment, and conspiracy theories. Initially a believer in the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, Bartelsmeyer’s attempt to implement common-sense election measures faced strong opposition. The Cochise Board of Supervisors, amidst suspicions related to the 2020 election, voted against Bartelsmeyer’s proposals, leading to his resignation in September. His story highlights the challenges faced by election officials dealing with distrust and conspiracy theories, contributing to a broader trend of election officials leaving their positions across the U.S., raising concerns about the upcoming elections. Read Article

Arizona: Are unstaffed ballot drop boxes allowed? Final rulebook offers little clarity | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Arizona voters have utilized unstaffed ballot drop boxes for years, but a new state Elections Procedures Manual by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, finalized on Dec. 30, has raised questions about the legality of these drop boxes. While the prior manual explicitly allowed unstaffed drop boxes, the new edition’s changes imply that only drop boxes staffed by election officials may be placed outdoors or inside a building. Although Fontes’ general counsel insists that the changes were made to align with state law and unstaffed drop boxes are still permitted, concerns have been raised, with Republicans planning to address the matter in litigation. Read Article

Why Arizona is worried about finishing the presidential election on time but other states aren’t | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Arizona faces a unique and challenging election timeline, raising concerns about delayed ballot delivery for military voters and late result reporting to Congress. Factors contributing to this situation include a new state law ensuring recounts, a federal law hardening the presidential race deadline, voter-friendly mail ballot rules, and an extended timeframe for counting ballots. Other states with more efficient election timelines have shorter mail ballot periods, quicker counting laws, faster certification dates, and reduced risk of recounts. Arizona officials are calling for changes to key dates to avoid potential delays, with options including adjusting the primary date, tightening voter-friendly rules, compressing result certification timelines, and addressing the recount process. However, aligning Republican lawmakers, county officials, and Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs on proposed changes poses challenges, and the window for adjustments is narrowing. Read Article

Arizona: It took years for truth about election ‘audit’ to emerge. Why The Arizona Republic kept fighting. | Ryan Randazzo/Arizona Republic

The Arizona “audit” of the 2020 election, initially presented as an objective review, has been revealed to be a partisan effort orchestrated by Donald Trump loyalists. The Arizona Republic, which fought for over two years to obtain information, uncovered through released texts and emails that the audit was part of a nationwide attempt to undermine elections in states won by Democrat Joe Biden. The audit, led by Cyber Ninjas, failed to provide evidence of fraud and cost over $5.5 million. The Republic’s lawsuit exposed financial ties between Trump-affiliated groups and the lead contractor, Doug Logan, as well as communication with Trump allies to sow distrust in election results. Read Article

Arizona: Cochise County supervisors plead not guilty in election interference case | Joe Duhownik/Courthouse News Service

Two Cochise County supervisors, Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and interfering with an elections officer in Arizona. The supervisors are accused of conspiring to delay the canvassing of votes cast in the 2022 general election until they received evidence that the ballot tabulation machines used were properly certified. The delay violated the legal deadline, and the board completed the canvass three days later, complying with a state judge’s order. The indictment comes amid a surge of unproven claims of election fraud, particularly in Arizona, where the issue has been a focal point. The charges are class 5 felonies, carrying potential penalties of up to 2.5 years in prison or a $150,000 fine. Read Article

Arizona: Cochise County supervisors face a legal battle and possible fines. Who will pay for it? | Sasha Hupka/Arizona Republic

Cochise County supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, facing charges related to interference in the 2022 election, will not have their legal costs covered by taxpayers, according to Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre. The supervisors, who voted to delay certification of the vote last year, will be personally responsible for legal fees, potential fines, and hiring their attorneys. The charges stem from their actions on the board, but they are indicted as individuals, making it a criminal case. While some county officials receive legal fee coverage through insurance, Cochise County’s insurance pool reportedly only covers expenses related to civil litigation, leaving Crosby and Judd to seek alternative sources for their defense costs. Read Article

Arizona: Two Cochise County supervisors indicted for refusing to certify midterm election | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Cochise County Supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, both Republicans, have been indicted for conspiracy and interference with an election officer, both felonies, by an Arizona grand jury. The charges stem from their refusal to certify the county’s election by the Nov. 28, 2022 deadline, as required by state law, and allegedly conspiring to delay the canvass of votes. The indictment claims they knowingly interfered with the Arizona Secretary of State’s ability to complete the statewide canvass. Read Article

Arizona: ‘The poison continues to spread’: legal losses fail to quell election denial hotbed | Rachel Leingang/The Guardian

In Cochise County the aftermath of two Republican supervisors, Peggy Judd and Tom Crosby, questioning the integrity of elections and refusing to certify results has led to significant consequences. The county, facing legal costs amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, has witnessed changes in its elections department leadership, and it has become a focal point for far-right election fervor, featuring conspiracy theories and attempts to limit voting access. Despite legal losses, election denialism persists in the county, with Crosby crowdfunding for legal support, and efforts to recall him falling short. The county’s struggles have deterred other Arizona counties from adopting similar approaches. Read Article

Arizona: Cochise County officials who refused to certify election now under investigation by attorney general | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating Cochise County supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, both Republicans, for their refusal to certify the county’s midterm election results within the state-required deadline. The subpoenas, issued by Mayes’ office, do not specify the criminal violations being investigated. The two supervisors had initially voted to postpone the certification, citing unfounded claims about ballot tabulation machines, and also attempted to implement a full hand count of all ballots, both of which were deemed illegal. Mayes’ probe aims to deter similar disruptions in future elections, potentially setting a precedent for holding officials accountable for their duties in accordance with state law. Read Article

Arizona prosecutors ask about 2020 pressure campaign by Trump allies | Yvonne Wingett Sanchez/The Wahington Post

The Arizona Attorney General’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results is now focusing on the pressure exerted on local officials by key allies of former President Donald Trump. Specifically, investigators have interviewed current and former Republican members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, who certified the 2020 presidential election results, and former House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who testified last year about Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to investigate unproven allegations of voter fraud. This shift in focus could signal an expansion of the investigation, which initially focused on 11 Arizona Republicans who falsely claimed to be the state’s legitimate electors. The investigation aims to uncover the behind-the-scenes efforts to halt vote-counting and delay the certification of election results. Read Article

Arizona: Previously hidden Cyber Ninjas texts revealed in records lawsuit over ‘audit’ | Robert Anglen and Ryan Randazzo/Arizona Republic

The CEO of Cyber Ninjas, Doug Logan, attempted to conceal more than 1,400 text messages which have now been decrypted, revealing communications between him and Michigan lawyer Stefanie Lambert regarding the Arizona Senate’s election “audit”. The messages discuss topics such as funding for the audit, voting machines, and concerns raised by then-Senate President Karen Fann about what information should be made public. Lambert criticized Fann’s preference for secrecy, highlighting the potential consequences for the audit effort. The messages also contain a link to a fundraising site, raising questions about the transparency of the funding process. Read Article

Arizona: Hand count all ballots? It’s possible, but Cochise County ignored the rules, court says | Mary Jo Pitzl/Arizona Republic

The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that Cochise County supervisors and the county recorder lacked the authority to attempt a full hand count of all ballots cast in the 2022 general election. The three-judge panel affirmed a previous decision by a Pima County Superior Court judge, stating that the county did not follow the proper procedures outlined in state law, which mandates a gradual, multi-step process before a jurisdiction-wide hand-count audit can occur. The ruling could impact the county’s plans to hand count future elections, including the upcoming presidential race next year. The case was brought by the Arizona Alliance of Retired Americans and a Cochise County resident, and while the court rejected their request for the county to cover their attorney fees, it did order the county to cover their court costs. Read Article

Arizona: Federal appeals court tosses Kari Lake’s suit vs. voting machines | Howard Fischer/Tucson Daily Star

A federal appeals court has dismissed the claims of 2022 election candidates, Kari Lake and Mark Finchem, who contended that the voting machines used in Arizona were inherently unreliable, violating their constitutional rights. The court stated that Lake and Finchem failed to present any evidence of past hacking of the machines and only raised concerns about potential future hacking. Additionally, the candidates initially sought to bar the use of tabulation machines in the 2022 election, which is now concluded, weakening their argument. Their broader claim that electronic tabulation systems denied them a “fundamental right” to vote was deemed insufficient for a constitutional challenge in federal court. The court also highlighted the safeguards in place for the tabulation system, including certification, pre-election tests, and post-election hand recounts. Read Article

Arizona’s mail ballot signature verification process is being challenged. So I tested it out. | Jen Fifield/Votebeat Arizona

The signature verification process for mail-in ballots in Arizona, and most states, has come under scrutiny amid claims of potential fraud and voter disenfranchisement. The system involves comparing the voter affidavit signature on the ballot envelope with past examples of the voter’s signature in county records. Critics argue that it’s an imprecise and subjective process. GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has raised concerns about the speed at which signatures are reviewed, while ongoing lawsuits challenge what voter records can be used for comparison. Some suggest alternative methods, such as using identification numbers, but voting rights groups caution against potential barriers to voting. Georgia’s switch to ID verification led to an increase in rejected ballots, highlighting the complexities of finding a secure and accessible system. Read Article

Arizona could miss crucial election deadlines due to recounts, officials warn | Sasha Hupka/Arizona Republic

Arizona election officials are warning that the state could face difficulties reporting vote tallies in the 2024 presidential election due to potential automatic recounts. State law mandates automatic recounts if the margin between two candidates is less than half a percentage point. However, this recount can only occur after all initial votes are counted and the election is certified. With a new state law increasing the likelihood of recounts and the upcoming elections calendar, these recounts might overlap with the appointment of presidential electors. This situation could lead to delays, increased chances of errors, and difficulties in sending out ballots for the general election. Election officials are urging state lawmakers to find solutions, which might include adjusting recount margins, shortening review periods, or modifying the curing process for ballots. Read Article

Arizona: Maricopa County argues that Kari Lake is legally barred from seeing voters’ signatures | Howard Fischer/Tucson Daily Star

Kari Lake, the Republican candidate who lost the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race, is seeking access to ballot envelope images and signatures to support her claim that Maricopa County improperly counted some early ballots. However, Maricopa County’s attorney argues that Arizona’s Election Code specifies that voter registration records “shall not be accessible or reproduced by any person other than the voter.” This, he contends, overrides laws presuming public disclosure. Additionally, the attorney suggests that even if the records were considered public, Arizona law allows for withholding them if their release is deemed “not in the best interests of the public.” Read Article

98% of Arizonans will have new elections officials in 2024, report finds | Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/AZ Mirror

Arizona is facing a significant turnover in election officials, with 98% of the state expected to have new officials overseeing elections in 2024 compared to those who managed the 2020 elections, according to a report by the nonpartisan political reform organization, Issue One. This mass exodus of experienced officials is attributed to election misinformation and threats of violence directed at election workers since 2020, leading to a loss of 176 collective years of experience. The report emphasizes the urgency for lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to provide regular funding and increased protections for election officials to ensure the integrity of the democratic process. Read Articles

Arizona: Ballot paper, not bad guys, caused Election Day printer problems | Joedy McCreary/USA Today

The claim that malware or remote access caused printer problems leading to the rejection of 200,000 out of 248,000 votes cast in Maricopa County, Arizona, during the 2022 midterms is false. An investigation led by retired state Supreme Court Justice Ruth McGregor found that the printer issues were attributed to the use of larger, thicker paper for the new ballots, not malicious interference. The new paper size was necessary to accommodate over 70 races, and the increased thickness aimed to prevent ink bleed-through. All legally cast ballots were properly counted, despite some delays and frustrations for Election Day voters. Read Article

Arizona: Federal judge blocks 2 voting laws, saying feds, not state, govern voting rights |  Ray Stern/Arizona Republic

A federal judge has ruled against new Arizona laws that required voters to prove their citizenship, granting rights groups the authority to investigate the intentions behind these laws. These laws, signed by former Republican Governor Doug Ducey, were passed on party lines despite warnings of their potential unconstitutionality. The U.S. Department of Justice and several civil rights organizations sued the state over these laws, which ban certain individuals from voting by mail or in state elections. While the ruling doesn’t conclude the legal proceedings, it makes it clear that federal laws, rather than state laws, govern the issue of proof-of-citizenship for voters. The judge’s ruling now requires legislative leaders to submit to depositions and disclose communications that may shed light on the reasons behind the laws. Read Article

“Where’s Celia?” An Arizona elections official becomes the target of a virtual manhunt by GOP activists on a public records crusade. | Jen Fifield/Votebeat Arizona

The article details the story of Celia Nabor, a former election official in Maricopa County, Arizona, who faced harassment and threats from a political action committee called We The People AZ Alliance, primarily funded by Patrick Byrne’s The America Project. The PAC employed a strategy of bombarding local election offices with public records requests, using the obtained documents to spread misinformation about elections. Nabor, who oversaw mail-in ballot verification, was falsely accused of aiding election fraud. The surge in such requests has overwhelmed election offices nationwide, straining resources and hampering their ability to combat misinformation. Nabor eventually resigned and faced ongoing harassment, prompting her to relocate for safety. Despite these challenges, the PAC continues to file requests for Nabor’s communications, and legal battles surrounding these requests persist. Read Article

Arizona: Federal Judge blocks state from enforcing law regulating who can vote for president | Howard Fischer/Arizona Capitol Times

A federal judge in Arizona has ruled that the state cannot enforce a 2022 law regulating who can vote for president. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton declared that Arizonans using a federal voter registration form have the right to cast a ballot in presidential elections, invalidating portions of the law requiring “satisfactory evidence of citizenship” to vote in such elections. Additionally, the judge struck down a provision preventing those using the federal form from voting by mail. However, final judgment on other changes in state voter registration laws will be determined after a full trial. The ruling effectively overturns efforts by GOP lawmakers to restrict presidential voting eligibility ahead of the 2024 election. While state law mandates proof of citizenship for voting in local and state races, federal law allows a sworn statement of citizenship for voting in federal elections, including presidential ones, according to the National Voter Registration Act. Read Article

Arizona: Judge questions legality of method used for verifying ballot signatures | Howard Fischer/Tucson Daily Star

A judge in Yavapai County, Arizona, has stated that the practice used by counties in the state to verify signatures on early ballots may be illegal. The judge emphasized that state law is “clear and unambiguous” in requiring election officials to compare the signature on a ballot envelope with the voter’s registration record, which consists of the document signed at the time of initial registration and subsequent changes such as party affiliation. This would make it illegal to use other documents for signature verification. The judge’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit challenging the practice, filed by two groups, and while a final order has not yet been issued, the judge’s decision to not dismiss the case indicates that the issue will be further litigated. The lawsuit targets Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ efforts to allow comparison of signatures against additional documents, a practice currently in widespread use. Read Article

Arizona: In court, Trump supporter faces election official he violently threatened | Yvonne Wingett Sanchez/The Washington Post

Clint Hickman, a Republican who serves as chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in Arizona, endured threats and harassment after certifying Trump’s loss in Arizona in 2020. Mark Rissi, who threatened Hickman and the state’s former attorney general, faced federal prosecutors and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, highlighting how individuals who embraced violence or threats due to election denialism are now facing legal consequences. The case reflects the broader challenges facing democracy and the efforts to deter threats against public officials involved in election processes. Read Article

Arizona: Are ballot envelopes public record? Kari Lake voter challenge to be heard in court | Stacey Barchenger/Arizona Republic

Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has been granted a two-day trial in September to review the signatures of about 1.3 million Maricopa County residents who voted early in the 2020 election. Lake has argued that the signatures on the green affidavit envelopes voters use to return their early ballots are a public record, while the county contends they are not subject to public review. Lake, who lost the race for governor but continues to claim she is the rightful governor and a victim of a rigged election, has used this case to support her baseless election fraud claims. Read Article

Arizona: Cochise County votes no on extending controversial ballot paper security pilot | Jen Fifield/Votebeat Arizona

Cochise County in Arizona has voted against extending a $1 million state grant that would have allowed them to work with Authentix, a company partnered with former state Rep. Mark Finchem, to test security features on ballots, including watermarks and special ink. The decision means that County Recorder David Stevens will only be able to use supplies he had already ordered from another company, Runbeck Election Services, for the pilot testing. Authentix has been linked to Stevens through personal connections, and some residents expressed concerns about the contract, believing it to be unnecessary and potentially tied to political favoritism. This decision follows controversies around the county’s election processes, including disputes over hand-counting ballots and claims of fraud. Read Article

Arizona Supreme Court rules against attorney seeking to void 2022 election | Howard Fischer/Arizona Capitol Times

The Arizona Supreme Court has rejected an attempt to void the results of the entire 2022 election. A Scottsdale attorney, Ryan Heath, had asked the court to order Maricopa County to redo the process used to verify signatures on early ballot envelopes. However, the court ruled that only those involved in the original lawsuit have the legal right to appeal the trial court’s decision and that Heath’s legal relief sought, which is an order to redo the 2022 election or revisit the ballots, is only appropriate when there are no facts in dispute, which is not the case here. Read Article

Arizona: Cut this, add that: Commenters on left, right criticize draft of 2024 state’s ‘election bible’ | Mary Jo Pitzl/Arizona Republic

Arizona’s draft Elections Procedures Manual, which outlines how to conduct an election, has attracted significant public input and scrutiny from voting rights groups, political parties, state lawmakers, and more. The manual, issued by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, has generated controversy over various provisions, including the date when voters would be removed from county voting rosters, interpretation of voting laws, and voter registration procedures. Senate President Warren Petersen has threatened to sue if certain edits are not made to the manual. Public input is being considered as the manual undergoes revisions and must ultimately gain approval from the attorney general, governor, and secretary of state for use in upcoming elections. Read Article

Arizona: Secure ballots or boondoggle? Cochise county tailors project to politically connected firm | Jen Fifield/Votebeat Arizona

An Arizona county’s plan to spend up to $1 million in state funds to test anti-counterfeit features on ballots has raised suspicions that the project was designed to benefit a specific company, Texas-based Authentix, which has been promoting its products with the help of political allies in the state. The project involves adding unique features like watermarks to ballots to protect against fraudulent ballots and improve voter confidence. However, election technology experts argue that the project is tailored for Authentix’s products and could limit competition while testing unnecessary and expensive features. Critics view the venture as unnecessary and designed to solve a problem that doesn’t exist, particularly since courts have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Arizona’s elections. Cochise County supervisors are set to vote on the contract with Authentix, despite concerns about the project’s specificity and potential lack of competitiveness. Read Article

Arizona: Mohave County rejects proposal to hand-count ballots in 2024 elections | Josh Kelety/Associated Press

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 against adopting a proposal to hand-count ballots in the 2024 election cycle. The local elections director warned that implementing a hand count would cost over $1.1 million and require hiring hundreds of new workers. The board chair cited the county’s projected budget deficit as the reason for rejecting the proposal. Mohave County is among several U.S. counties that have explored tabulating ballots by hand, but experts warn that hand counts are less reliable and more time-consuming than machine tabulation. Despite the lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, the prospect of hand counting ballots remains popular among some elected officials, activists, and voters who distrust U.S. elections and spread conspiracies about election equipment. Read Article

Arizona Republicans wanted to hand-count ballots. Then they saw the price tag — and the errors. | Jane C. Timm/NBC

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 against adopting a hand-counting process for ballots in the 2024 elections after discovering that it would cost over $1.1 million and result in inaccurate results. Some conservatives, including allies of former President Donald Trump, have advocated for hand-counting as a way to ensure election accuracy, but Mohave County’s experience showed that it is expensive, impractical, and potentially unreliable. The test run of hand-counting 850 test ballots resulted in errors, including bored and tired staffers making mistakes, messy handwriting in tallies, and other issues. The total cost for the process, including staffing, security, and venue rental, was deemed too high and impractical for the county’s projected budget deficit. Read Article