Arizona Republican officials have met with the State of Florida’s chief of elections to ascertain necessary changes to their own systems of counting and reporting votes.
On Tuesday, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen led a call with the Florida Secretary of State, Cord Byrd, for the purpose of gleaning information about the Sunshine State’s efficient ballot tabulation for Election Day.
In a post on his X account, Petersen marked the meeting, saying, “Just finished a great meeting with Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and his staff discussing what they do to get election results quickly. As expected a big difference is that we do not have a cutoff for early ballot drop-offs at polling places like they do. But we also learned of other ways to be more efficient. I look forward to passing legislation so that AZ will have election results night of.”
Just finished a great meeting with FL SOS @CordByrd and his staff discussing what they do to get election results quickly.
As expected a big difference is that we do not have a cutoff for early ballot dropoffs at polling places like they do. But we also learned of other…
Petersen also thanked the Republicans who joined him on the call, including Representatives Steve Montenegro, John Gillette, Senators Shawna Bolick, John Kavanagh, JD Mesnard, incoming Senator Mark Finchem, Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, incoming Supervisor Debbie Lesko, and Republican Party of Arizona Chair Gina Swoboda.
In an exclusive comment to AZ Free News, Petersen shared more of his thoughts about the meeting, stating, “What I came away with is that the biggest thing we can do to speed up results, that would be the easiest to implement, would be having a cutoff of 7 p.m. on the Friday before the election to drop off ballots.”
Secretary Byrd acknowledged the meeting on social media, posting, “Yesterday, I and my team at the Florida Secretary of State spoke with legislative leaders from Arizona including the Senate President and Speaker of the House about how Florida’s election code allows for the timely and accurate counting of ballots. We are happy to share the Florida blueprint.”
Yesterday, I and my team @FLSecofState spoke with legislative leaders from Arizona including the Senate President and Speaker of the House about how Florida's election code allows for the timely and accurate counting of ballots. We are happy to share the Florida blueprint.
Senator Bolick, who was also on the call with the Florida Secretary of State, told AZ Free News that, “In the past, I have worked with folks who helped fix the Florida issues. We also have tried different solutions over the past few years only for bills to be vetoed or killed by fellow GOP legislators because they didn’t sponsor the bill. I believe late earlies are the biggest hinderance in getting results on election night. Our voters are tired of being the laughingstock of the country, especially voters in Maricopa County. We shouldn’t be waiting two weeks for results. Early voting ends the Friday before the election as should mail-in ballots.”
Bolick added, “Florida’s voters know they can’t walk their vote by mail ballot into a polling place on election day. They can only walk it into their supervisor’s (aka our recorder’s) office on election day. Voters I have spoken to would be okay modifying these changes if it means getting results on races on election night. I am certain the legislature would be interested in appropriating funds to ensure timely, accurate results.”
State Senator Wendy Rogers also indicated her presence on the call and cheered the opportunity “to learn from Florida’s successes!”
Lesko made sure to note the call on her X account, writing, “Today, I was privileged to join AZ Senate President Warren Petersen, House Speaker Steve Montenegro, Supervisor Thomas Galvin, and several state legislators, on a call with Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd to discuss their policies for elections that have made Florida into an admirable model. Republicans and Democrats must unite to make necessary reforms to Arizona elections. I look forward to working with legislators to accomplish this worthy goal on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.”
Today, I was privileged to join AZ Senate President @votewarren, House Speaker @SteveMontenegro, Supervisor @ThomasGalvin, & several state legislators, on a call with @FLSecofState@CordByrd to discuss their policies for elections that have made Florida into an admirable model.
Republicans in the Arizona Legislature have vowed to make these reforms their top priority in the next legislative session, which starts in January. However, they are expected to meet resistance from Democrats, especially Governor Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed other commonsense elections bills in her previous two years in office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Dr. Owen Anderson of Arizona State University (ASU) reported earlier this week that an examination of the ASU course catalog for the Spring 2025 semester shows that the school does not offer any classes on Christianity. Although the website itself does list Anderson’s REL 270 course, he reports that it “didn’t have enough enrollment, so it was canceled.” He added, “Religious Studies blocked its general education requirements, so students would not be helped toward graduation.”
A course on the New Testament of the Bible is offered, however, it is an online course, which curiously does not require the Bible as a required text. Instead, it requires “How To Read the Bible,” by liberation theologian Harvey Cox, the 95-year-old former Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School. According to U.S. Catholic, “Liberation theology is a social and political movement within the church that attempts to interpret the gospel of Jesus Christ through the lived experiences of oppressed people.”
In Cox’s text he wrote, “There is scarcely one figure in the entire Hebrew scripture we would want our children to emulate.”
In the same work, he also is quoted writing, “The dominant ethos of the twenty-first century consists of an intermingling of the sacred and the secular.”
Anderson added that the university contrasts this by offering seven different courses on magic and witchcraft.
In a post to X, Anderson said, “ASU has canceled its only Religious Studies course on Christianity for the Spring of 2025. You will find all of the other world’s religions taught at ASU, as well as a healthy representation of classes about witchcraft. ASU currently has more events about the benefits of witchcraft than it has courses on Christianity. What is going on? Why would any Christians want to study a humanities topic at ASU when this is how they are treated…”
ASU has canceled its only Religious Studies course on Christianity for the Spring of 2025. You will find all of the other world's religions taught at ASU, as well as a healthy representation of classes about witchcraft. ASU currently has more events about the benefits of…
In his post to Substack, Anderson noted that although Christianity is taught in the coursework of other classes, “Christianity does not get a dedicated class the way Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Witchcraft do.”
The tenured professor argued that parents and students both need the ability to provide input on how the university’s schedule is built: “Parents and students, you need to know how the schedule is built and what classes you are filtered toward. It is a false choice. They give you the appearance of free will. ‘Do you want Buddhism or Witchcraft?’ Either way, you’ll be learning what they want, and you will not be represented.”
Responding to a commenter on X who was disappointed in the university’s decision, Dr. Anderson advised, “This one is done. But you can write an email to the Dean of the Religious studies department. I always recommend that such interactions be respectful.”
Conserva Mi Voto, a civic engagement organization for Latinos and Veterans, released a statement this week celebrating the group’s successful efforts in the 2024 election, both in Arizona and across the nation. Citing victories from the election of David Lara to the Yuma County Recorder’s Office to the election of Arizona Rep. Steve Montenegro as Speaker of the Arizona House, Conserva Mi Voto touted “its successful efforts to educate Latino voters, empowering them to make the right choices this election cycle.”
The statement noted that Lara is “a small business owner and staunch advocate for election integrity.” He also serves on Conserva Mi Voto’s board and spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
David Lara is a husband, father, & small business owner in San Luis, Arizona. Small border towns like his bear the brunt of the chaos of the #BidenBordercrisis.@JoeBiden has ignored these communities, @RubenGallego has mocked them, but President Trump & I will help them. pic.twitter.com/6XhabUJGzf
In an impassioned plea Lara, told the RNC that in San Luis, drug cartels were using schoolchildren as drug mules and emergency services were overwhelmed with illegal immigrants. “Small towns like mine bear the brunt of the chaos,” Lara said, according to AZCentral. “San Luis wasn’t always this way. And Joe Biden, Kamala Harris do not care,” Lara said. “In fact, they seem satisfied. They have done nothing to stop it and everything to make it worse.”
“We must reelect Trump to put our citizens first and make America strong again,” he said at the time. He capped off his address by saying, “Latinos estamos con Trump,” (Latinos are with Trump). In the statement, Conserva Mi Voto cited a report from Reuters that stated, “Hispanics have largely favored Democrats for decades, but Trump’s share this year was the highest for a Republican presidential candidate in exit polls going back to the 1970s, and just higher than the 44% share won by Republican George W. Bush in 2004,” as well as an exit poll showing that President-elect Donald Trump earned massive support from American Latinos with 55% of Latino men breaking for Trump and Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris only taking 43%.
Reuters reported that Trump’s support among Latinos increased 14% overall, up 7% among voters aged 18-29.
Conserva Mi Voto board member Roman Campuzano explained, “As more and more Latinos understand the power of their vote and the policies promoted by progressives, they are shaping the political landscape in a way never seen before. They are rejecting the socialist proposals and choosing candidates that reflect their values and policies that allow families to prosper, keep neighborhoods safe, and maintain our national security.”
The group in particular cited its successful education efforts contributing to the defeat of Glendale Proposition 499, a potentially devastating measure aimed at regulating the hospitality industry of the city.
The group’s impact has been of great note in Glendale with the Glendale City Council proclaiming October 22, 2024, as Latino Heritage and Empowerment Day and offering recognition of Conserva Mi Voto for the organization’s “dedicated service to the Latino community and its tireless efforts to promote civic participation, family values, and veteran support.”
Arizona’s leaders on both sides of the political aisle are calling for significant reforms to the state’s elections system.
Earlier this week, Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin issued a press release to call for “a series of election administration reforms that will expedite the tabulation of ballots with the goal of 95% of results being tabulated by election night.”
Galvin’s concepts for reforms include the following highlights:
“Move up cutoff date for early ballot drop offs
“Use Government buildings to host polling sites
“Eliminate Emergency voting for Saturday & Monday before Election Day and allow everyone to utilize in-person voting.”
In a statement to accompany his announcement, Galvin said, “First and foremost, I am grateful to the election staff and community volunteers who have spent countless hours preparing and administering the 2024 election. These dedicated individuals deserve our thanks for following the laws and regulations determined by state leaders. Unfortunately, they bear the brunt of unfounded criticism. Since election day, I’ve had productive conversations with Republican leaders at the Arizona Legislature who agree sensible and practical changes are needed to speed up processing while also protecting the integrity of the early voting system that most Arizonans utilize.”
Galvin added, “By moving up the cutoff date for early ballot drop offs, using government buildings to host polling sites, and eliminate emergency voting for the Saturday and Monday prior to the election while allowing folks to vote in person, we can significantly speed up the process and have nearly 95% of ballots tabulated by election night. I urge the Arizona Legislature to make my ‘95/1 Plan’ a top priority in 2025 and look forward to working with county and state leaders on these important reforms.”
Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott offered his support for the nature of Galvin’s proposals, writing, “I am grateful to my colleague Thomas Galvin for putting these timely ideas forth. We may be from different parties and represent different counties, but we share the same concerns. When the new Legislature convenes in January, his proposals should be given serious consideration.”
I am grateful to my colleague @ThomasGalvin for putting these timely ideas forth. We may be from different parties and represent different counties, but we share the same concerns. When the new Legislature convenes in January, his proposals should be given serious consideration. https://t.co/GBRfpztZfo
Incoming Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart endorsed Galvin’s efforts in a post on his X account. He wrote, “I stand with my colleague Thomas Galvin in emphasizing the importance of efficient and transparent elections in Maricopa County. This is a standard we must meet, as anything less undermines public trust. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow supervisors Debbie Lesko, Kate Brophy McGee, and Steve Gallardo, as well as our state legislators and governor, to advocate for legislation ensuring election results are finalized promptly after walk-up tallies are complete. Arizona can and should resolve election delays – our voters and the nation deserve a process that reflects both competence and integrity.”
I stand with my colleague @ThomasGalvin in emphasizing the importance of efficient and transparent elections in Maricopa County. This is a standard we must meet, as anything less undermines public trust.
I look forward to collaborating with my fellow supervisors @DebbieLesko,…
— Mark Stewart, Maricopa County Supervisor-Elect (@MarkStewart_AZ) November 19, 2024
Supervisor Galvin’s proposals follow aggressive statements of the like from state legislators in the aftermath of a General Election in Arizona, where several counties counted votes days – and even weeks for some – past the contest. Senate President Warren Petersen led this charge from the Arizona Legislature immediately after Election Day. On November 7, Petersen stated, “I have tried without success to shift us to the Florida model that has a Friday cutoff to drop off early ballots. Current delay is from counting the mail ballots dropped day of, which have to be signature verified. Maybe I can get enough support now to get it to the finish line.”
I have tried without success to shift us to the Florida model that has a Friday cutoff to drop off early ballots. Current delay is from counting the mail ballots dropped day of, which have to be signature verified. Maybe I can get enough support now to get it to the finish line
Two days later, Petersen added, “AZ called last! This can never happen again. My call to move up election results is gaining a lot of support. I have also heard from counties who opposed moving up results in the past now saying they will support.”
AZ called last! This can never happen again. My call to move up election results is gaining a lot of support. I have also heard from counties who opposed moving up results in the past now saying they will support.
The efforts from Arizona government officials to enact major elections reform will likely still face an uphill battle with Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed several bills from Republican legislators that would have improved the state’s system. Arizona legislators could be forced to send their proposals to voters in the next election if the governor refuses to consider commonsense bills on election reform.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Republican volunteers at the Whiteriver Polling Center in Navajo County contacted AZ Free News with a startling eyewitness account of multiple violations of Arizona election statutes constituting electioneering at the polling location by Navajo County Democrats. They described the scene as “a veritable circus atmosphere … all orchestrated by Democrats.”
In an interview with AZ Free News, a source within the Navajo County Republican Party, speaking on condition of anonymity, prefaced what they witnessed by stressing that they are no stranger to election work. The source stated that 2024 was their sixth election as a poll worker and their third at the polling place in Whiteriver on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. In addition to the allegations of electioneering, they emphasized that an ongoing issue in Navajo County has been a lack of poll workers and an apparent unwillingness to address the problem from the Board of Supervisors and the County Manager.
The source explained that during the primary, “Our election integrity network here in Navajo County have been addressing the board of supervisors with election challenges. Why is there nobody in the tabulating room from each major party like it says in the statute? You know, it’s required, but yet they don’t have that. They have two Democrats and an Independent, when it’s supposed to clearly, in the statute code and law, it says you have to have one person from each party in the tabulation room when you adjudicate a ballot, but they’re not.”
According to ARS 16-531(A), “There shall be an equal number of inspectors in the various precincts in the county who are members of the two largest political parties. In each precinct where the inspector is a member of one of the two largest political parties, the marshal in that precinct shall be a member of the other of the two largest political parties.”
The source noted that these issues also occurred during the primary, “We have it on tape. We’ve got screenshots of them.” They added, “They don’t seem to correct it, and it happens again in this general election.”
The allegations of electioneering at the polling place included Democrats reportedly handing out palm-sized “golden ticket” voting guides to voters as they approached the polling location, resulting in a Marshall having to escort them beyond the statutory line.
According to the source, it was “a veritable carnival atmosphere out there across the day, including a ‘DJ’s for Democrat’ guy blasting music from a speaker stashed in the trunk of his car, a grill cooking food for anyone interested in partaking, plus T-shirts, baggies full of candy, etc. being handed out with the palm card listing which Democrat candidates to vote for on one side, and how to vote on propositions on the other side (the card told voters that they should vote ‘yes’ on proposition 139, and ‘no’ on all other propositions).”
The inducement of free food and merchandise potentially runs afoul of Arizona election laws at several points including A.R.S. 16-1005(C), which states, “It is unlawful to receive or agree to receive any consideration in exchange for a voted or unvoted ballot. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a class 5 felony,” and A.R.S. 16-1006(A) which states, “It is unlawful for a person knowingly by force, threats, menaces, bribery or any corrupt means, either directly or indirectly: 1. To attempt to influence an elector in casting his vote or to deter him from casting his vote.” The law makes this type of interference a class five felony as well.
The source’s account also aligns with a previous report from AZ Free News of the “Free Meal, Warm Socks, Voter Info,” event conducted by the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats in Sawmill, AZ.
Another example the source gave centered around campaign merchandise being handed out at the polling place. They told AZ Free News that at one of the Navajo County polling sites for the Nov. 5th General Election “County recorder, Mike Sample, the Democrat candidate…they had pens of his in the polling place. How? If that’s not electioneering, I don’t know what is.”
“That was given to them to use to vote. I mean, talk about blatant and flagrant. They were giving the pens from Mike Sample to the voters to use to fill out their ballot. And he was a candidate for Navajo County Recorder.“
The city of Phoenix will be in court on Wednesday over a lawsuit against its arrangement waiving $8 million in property taxes for a private real estate developer downtown.
The Arizona Court of Appeals will hear the case, Paulin v. City of Phoenix. The Goldwater Institute filed the lawsuit in May 2022.
Goldwater Institute Vice President for Litigation Jon Riches claimed the property tax exemption violated both the Arizona Constitution and court precedent prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to benefit private interests.
“Arizona courts have been clear time and again: taxpayer dollars are to be put to public use, not to benefit private, special interests,” said Riches.
Phoenix waived the property taxes on a downtown high-rise development project by assuming the legal title from real estate developer Hubbard Street Group and leasing the property back to them. The city did so in order to capitalize on Arizona’s Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) abatement provisions. In so doing, the city of Phoenix ensured the Hubbard Street Group protection would be saved from having to pay millions in property taxes for the term of the lease — eight years. After that better part of the decade is up, the city will return the title back to the developer.
The Goldwater Institute maintains that this workaround adopted by the city amounts to, essentially, tax evasion: an abuse of GPLET and a loss of a revenue stream at a burden to other taxpayers.
As reported previously, the city of Phoenix assumed ownership after it declared the developer’s project, “Skye on 6th,” to be part of a slum or blighted area. As part of their arrangement with the city’s assumption of their legal title to the development, Hubbard Street Group agreed to pay over $500,000 in rent to the city, $30,000 to two school districts, and dedicate 10 percent of its residential units to workforce housing.
Skye on 6th is marketed as “the height of luxury.” The most affordable rooms (studios listed at 400 square feet) start at $1,500 a month. The most expensive rooms are on their penthouse floor, where rent starts at $4,500 a month and goes up to over $6,700 a month.
The project cost nearly $88 million to develop.
One of the represented taxpayers in the case, Bramley Paulin, successfully sued the city last year, Paulin v. Gallego, when he challenged the city’s restriction on temporary signage for the Super Bowl LVII. The Maricopa County Superior Court ruled the city’s resolution on signage was an unconstitutional restraint on free speech and delegation of government power.
Paulin and the other taxpayer in the case, Mat Englehorn, reside and own businesses in the Phoenix area.
The oral arguments are scheduled to occur on Wednesday at 9:30 am.
In 2020, the Maricopa County Superior Court ruled against a similar GPLET arrangement between the city of Phoenix and another high-rise developer.
In his ruling, Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury questioned whether GPLET could be relevant any longer given the tendency for abuse.
“This judicial officer questions whether the death knell for the GPLET’s usefulness has rung,” wrote Coury.
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