Category Archives: Secretary of State

Arizona Secretary of State Visits with County Board of Supervisors and Election Officials

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FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, visited Flagstaff on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 to meet with members of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), County Recorder Patty Hansen, and County Elections staff. Secretary Fontes has visited or plans to visit all 15 Arizona counties to hear directly from local officials about their present and future needs to prepare for the 2024 election cycle and beyond.

 

Among the topics covered during the Secretary’s discussion with the Board members and staff were election staff safety, election integrity, and expanding voter access especially to rural and minority communities in Coconino County.

 

“Elections are bottom-up here in Arizona, counties run our elections,” Secretary Fontes said during his visit. “My office has built a team that reflects that ethos.”

 

Key to Secretary Fontes’ efforts to assist counties is his ongoing effort to revise and refocus the Elections Procedure Manual, a document released by the Secretary of State’s office in odd calendar years that helps ensure election practices are consistent and efficient.

 

To better help counties, Secretary Fontes is requesting funds from the State Legislature for six full-time Secretary of State staff positions to work hand-in-hand with County Recorder and Elections offices that have seen unprecedented turnover. The Secretary also endorsed a bill sponsored by State Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD16) that would expand confidentiality protections for elections staff and volunteers statewide.

 

Other integral parts of Secretary Fontes’ election preparation plans include the creation of a Chief Information Security Officer position to provide counties with the technical assistance and training they need to address physical and cybersecurity threats, and Election Certification Training which will be held in several locations throughout the state in the summer and fall months.

 

“Like many in the state, Coconino County is working preemptively to combat misinformation about the safety and security of our election process and elections in general,” added Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 1. “Neither Coconino County, nor our Sheriff’s department will tolerate intimidation and threats to voters or our election workers. The Board of Supervisors and Elections Department have worked to increase voter confidence and to actively increase voter access.”

 

For more information about the Coconino County Recorder, please visit: http://coconino.az.gov/Recorder and for information about the Coconino County Elections Department please visit http://www.coconino.az.gov/elections

Businesses Prohibited from Rewarding Voters

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PHOENIX – While the nation’s early politicians offered booze to entice voters, the practice of rewarding people for voting has been forbidden since the days when George Washington won election to the Virginia House of Burgesses with the help of alcohol.

Now, 256 years later, Arizona’s Secretary of State and Attorney General are reminding businesses it is illegal to offer anything of value to someone who has indicated he or she voted in an election.

“While we never want to discourage anyone from voting, it’s important to remind businesses to avoid rewarding people for performing their civic duty,” said Secretary Bennett. “Offering free coffee, hot dogs or anything else is prohibited and they could be found guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.”

“Our office fielded several calls last election cycle asking if businesses were allowed to ‘reward’ people who had ‘I Voted’ stickers by giving them something such as a free cup of coffee,” said Attorney General Tom Horne. “Although a gesture like that is not tied to voting for a particular candidate or ballot measure, it’s still against Arizona law.”

For the record, George Washington lost his first campaign to a candidate who provided “beer, whiskey, rum punch, and wine” in 1755. According to the book, Founding Spirits: George Washington and the Beginnings of the American Whiskey Industry, our first President subsequently utilized the same strategy and was elected with more than eight times the votes. Cheers to our founding fathers!

Independent voter registration continues to rise

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Arizona Independent Party on Facebook.

Arizona Independent Party on Facebook.

STATEWIDE – As the Primary Election approaches voters with no designated party affiliation continue to outnumber voters in recognized political parties.

Since March 2014, the number of independent voters has risen by 18,201. In comparison the number of registered Democrats and Republicans fell by 16,036 and 7,447; respectively. Meanwhile, the Libertarian and Americans Elect parties grew slightly.

A Facebook page has been set up for independent voters to exchange ideas.

geo-farewell-1Arizona has four recognized political parties: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian and Americans Elect. Registrants who decline to indicate a party preference or register with parties without recognized status are classified as “Other” by election officials but are widely referred to as “independents.”

Statewide, overall voter registration decreased by 0.15%. This is attributed to the maintenance of the voter rolls by the counties.

Deadline to request early mail ballot is Aug. 15

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Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – The last day to request a ballot from your County Recorder for the Primary Election is 5 p.m., Friday, August 15. The Secretary of State’s Office recommends having your early ballot voted, signed, sealed and sent by August 22. If early voters miss the August 22 deadline they may return their ballot to an early voting location, at the County Recorder’s Office, or at the polling place in their county on Primary Election Day.

For security reasons, election officials recommend to only give your early mail ballot to your postal worker. Should you miss the mailing deadline, you may drop your ballot at an early voting location or with your County Recorder. For locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office. If you vote by early mail ballot, do not vote in person.

All voters – including independent voters or those without a party preference – are able to vote through one of three ways:

  1. Early mail ballot;
  2. Early in-person voting; or
  3. In-person on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, August 26.

To find an early voting location and availability, contact the County Recorder. Early in-person voting ends Friday, August 22.

For those voting on Election Day, August 26, make sure you know your correct polling location, as voting locations may change from election to election. To know before you go, go online to www.azsos.gov, and click on the Voter View icon or call 1-877-THE VOTE or in the Phoenix Metro Area 602-542-8683. The Voter View portion of the website is compatible with smartphones and tablets. You also may contact your County Recorder’s office.

Chester Crandell still on the ballot

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Arizona-electsPHOENIX – With the recent fatal accident of Senator Chester Crandell, many have wondered what comes next. There is a system that was put in place following the death of Senator Jose Garcia in 2011 outlined in 16-343(F). Secretary of State Ken Bennett held a press conference and sent a letter to the election officials of Coconino, Gila, Navajo and Yavapai counties addressing the proper course of action.

Kim Crawford of the office of the Secretary of State explained that early ballots have already been issued and other ballots will appear with Senator Chester Crandell as candidate. Therefore, he will automatically win the primary election. He is in the unique category of running unopposed, even by a write-in candidate.

Because of his automatic selection, Republican Committee persons from Legislative District 6 will vote on a person to fill the void left by the late Senator.

No write-in candidates are allowed during this process. However write-in candidates are allowed in the general election provided their application is received by September 25.

There has been an outpouring of sympathy and condolences to the family of the Senator. Governor Jan Brewer issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened today to learn of the tragic and sudden passing of State Senator Chester Crandell. A fifth-generation native of Arizona, avid rancher, legislator and–above all – a gentleman with a tangible love for Arizona and those he served, Chester will be greatly missed.

“My thoughts and prayers – along with those of the entire state – are with Chester’s dear wife, Alice, and their family during this difficult time. In honor of Senator Crandell – and the service he gave to Arizona – I have ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise tomorrow, August 5, 2014 until sunset August 11, 2014.”

Bill Roe, Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, released a statement saying:

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Chester Crandell. Our deepest condolences and sympathy go out to his entire family for their tragic loss.”

Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell issued a statement saying:

“I am shocked and saddened by the news of Sen. Crandell’s passing. We didn’t always see eye to eye on things, but I have absolutely no doubt that Sen. Crandell worked on the issues he did because he believed they would improve Arizona. He served his constituents with honor and class. This is a great loss for our state and I offer my condolences to his family and his friends.”

All statements were issued on Monday following the announcement of the passing of the State Senator.

State Representative Brenda Barton, also an LD6 candidate, posted on her Facebook page August 4:

My friend and colleague passed away today doing what he loved; boots on in the saddle pushing cattle. I know the range he rides tonight, and I know he’s watching; but I miss him terribly.

(Updated August 8, 8:47)

State Library of Arizona – nationally recognized as Library of the Year

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azcm-building-photoPHOENIX – The State Library of Arizona, a division of the Secretary of State, has been named as the 2013 Library of the Year by Davita Vance-Cooks, U.S. Public Printer. This regional federal depository library is celebrating its 50th year with this designation for oversight and statewide services within Arizona.

“Under the leadership of our State Librarian Joan Clark, and Janet Fisher, our Director of Collections and External Relations, we have been able to reinvigorate our effort to preserve and provide access to important government documents,” said Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Their team has done an excellent job and Arizonans should be proud to have such an outstanding resource at their disposal.”

The award from the U.S. Government Printing Office recognizes the library and its staff for their leadership in carrying out the responsibilities of the Federal Depository Library Program’s role in “keeping America informed.” The State Library of Arizona coordinates and connects with Arizona’s libraries (public, community college, and university) around the state to provide access to federal government information for all. The library’s efforts to plan, collaborate with others, and implement the biennial Six-State Virtual Government Information Conference held in 2010 and 2012 is but one example of its leadership in expanding services to engage, collaborate and transform in GPO’s mission to keep America informed.

The State Library of Arizona is a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State. The Library holds a collection of 2.5 million government, law and genealogy items, is located in the State Capitol in Phoenix, and serves the needs of state government, businesses and the public. The State Library of Arizona functions as the state library and the state law library for Arizona.