The federal government said Tuesday it has reached a deal with Arizona after the state failed to give absentee voters enough time to consider final ballots in a special primary election slated for the end of February. The agreement comes after the Justice Department sued Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan last week, claiming absentee voters were not given 45 days to consider the finalized ballot for a special election to fill a vacancy in the state’s 8th Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican, stepped down from the seat in December after he was accused of offering a female staffer $5 million to be a surrogate for his children. Gov. Doug Ducey ordered a special primary election for Feb. 27, with the general election set for April 24.
Under the agreement, absentee ballots mailed to state election officials will be accepted for an extra 10 days after the primary, as long as they are mailed by Feb. 27. Officials are also required to notify absentee voters of this extension.
A large field of candidates coupled with tight deadlines for them to gather necessary signatures to be placed on the ballot meant Reagan sent the ballots only one day before the federally mandated deadline – with a disclaimer that there may be changes.
Full Article: Feds, Arizona Settle Spat Over Rushed Absentee Voting.