U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) is renewing his call for a federal ban on ranked-choice voting (RCV) following a Maine court ruling that limited the system’s use in certain elections, citing concerns about election integrity and consistency in federal contests.
Debate over ranked-choice voting in Maine has included legal challenges to its application. In its ruling, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court found that ranked-choice voting could not be used in certain general elections for state offices where the state constitution requires winners to be determined by plurality.
Responding to developments surrounding ranked-choice voting, Hamadeh renewed his call for federal action. His office reiterated that position in a recent post on X, calling for a nationwide ban on ranked-choice voting in federal races.
Hamadeh’s team wrote, “The Maine Supreme Judicial Court just ruled that Democrats’ latest attempt to force Ranked-Choice Voting on governor and state legislative races is unconstitutional. Ranked-choice voting creates chaos, disenfranchises voters, and destroys trust in our elections. That’s why it fails everywhere it’s tried, and exactly why Congressman Hamadeh introduced the Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act to ban this corrupt system once and for all in all federal elections.”
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court just ruled that Democrats’ latest attempt to force Ranked-Choice Voting on governor and state legislative races is unconstitutional.
Ranked-choice voting creates chaos, disenfranchises voters, and destroys trust in our elections.
That’s why it…
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) April 6, 2026
The Arizona congressman previously introduced H.R. 3040, the “Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act,” in April 2025. The legislation would amend the Help America Vote Act to ban the use of ranked-choice voting in elections for Congress and the presidency.
Hamadeh said the bill would prohibit what he described as a “confusing and disenfranchising voting scheme,” and raised concerns that ranked-choice voting can alter outcomes through multiple rounds of vote redistribution.
Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting a single candidate. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and those ballots are redistributed based on voters’ next selections. The process continues in rounds until a candidate secures a majority.
The system is currently used in a limited number of states for federal elections. Maine employs ranked-choice voting in congressional and presidential races, making it the first state to adopt the system at that level.
Alaska also uses ranked-choice voting for federal elections following voter-approved reforms. A repeal effort narrowly failed by 664 votes in 2024.
Opposition to ranked-choice voting has expanded across multiple states. Hamadeh’s renewed push reflects a broader Republican effort to prohibit the system, with several states enacting bans or considering legislation to prevent its use.
Hamadeh’s proposal would apply only to federal elections and require congressional approval before taking effect. If enacted, states would retain authority over their own election systems for state and local races.
The legislation has remained in committee since its introduction and has not advanced.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) will host its annual 2026 Summer Preparedness Workshop on Tuesday, April 14, at 9:00 a.m. in Hearing Room One at the Commission’s Offices. The workshop will also be available virtually.
This annual event serves as a critical exercise in which Arizona’s regulated electric utilities present detailed plans to the Commission outlining their readiness to meet peak electricity demand during the state’s intense summer heat.
The workshop allows the ACC to review utility preparations, verify proactive grid maintenance efforts year-round, and confirm that infrastructure remains safe, reliable, and resilient for customers.
Arizona’s summer temperatures routinely drive record-breaking electricity demand as residents rely heavily on air-conditioning. In recent years, major utilities—including Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP), and Tucson Electric Power (TEP)—have repeatedly set new peak demand records amid scorching heat, with highs often exceeding 115 degrees in the Phoenix area.
In 2025, utilities forecasted and prepared for peaks exceeding 8,400 MW for APS and SRP each, while emphasizing additions of solar, battery storage, and other resources alongside adequate reserves to maintain reliability.
The commission uses the workshop to ensure utilities demonstrate sufficient generating capacity, transmission readiness, maintenance schedules, emergency response protocols, and contingency measures for high-demand periods.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s school choice program allows participants to use funds to pay for college, per a reminder from the state’s top elected education official.
Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, promoted this usage of Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program funds in an interview with The Center Square last week.
Horne said this option was more than just a benefit to families. The superintendent made the case that higher education directly correlated to strengthening Arizona’s economy.
“We want kids to go to college,” said Horne. “The percentage of college-educated students in a state has something to do with the success of its economy.”
This is not a new allowance. Arizona law has allowed this use of school choice funds since universalization occurred in 2022 under the former governor, Doug Ducey. Arizona was the first state to open school choice to all students.
Over 102,800 students have enrolled in the ESA program for the 2025-2026 school year, as of last week.
Horne is touting the benefits of the ESA program amid attacks from various special interests.
The Arizona Department of Education (AZED) is under pressure from a major media outlet, 12News, and anti-school choice organizations over misspending rates within the program.
12News reported that 20 percent of ESA expenditures were improper purchases. AZED reported the misspending rate amounted to less than two percent.
12News argued both figures can be true depending on the context, but Horne argued that was not the case. He said the actual amount of fraudulent purchases out of all misspending was 0.3 percent.
“The people who’ve made these criticisms fundamentally did not understand. To start with, [12News] said there was 20 percent fraud,” said Horne in a KTAR interview last month. “The 20 percent figure was the percentage of purchases under $2,000 to see if they were okay or not. But only 20 percent of that 20 percent were improper. That’s four percent. And the other thing to know is, they’re not all fraud. A lot of times it’s innocent mistakes.”
While Horne continues to defend and promote the merits of the ESA program in its present form, both supporters and detractors of the program argue changes need to be made.
Horne’s primary election challenger, Treasurer Kimberly Yee, announced last month that reforms were needed to reduce improper spending, starting with a switch in the reimbursement vendor.
Regardless of the outcome of this election, either Horne or Yee may face new challenges from school choice opponents.
The benefit to pay for higher education through the school choice program, and universalization as a whole, may be limited later this year pending the outcome of a ballot initiative seeking to place an income cap on eligibility.
Under the initiative, only families earning less than $150,000 a year would qualify to enter the ESA program. That income ceiling would be adjusted annually.
Under that income cap, approximately 15 percent of current ESA students would be removed from the program.
The initiative would also further restrict the list of allowable purchases. All tutors, schools, and service providers would be required to fall under State Board of Education oversight, and pay a fee and register annually with AZED to receive ESA funds.
It would also eliminate the current ability for families to rollover funds. All unspent funds would be recouped and returned to the state. That would, effectively, end ESA students’ ability to set aside funds over the years to pay toward college.
The Arizona Education Association and Save Our Schools Arizona are behind the ballot initiative, “Protect Education Act,” filed last month (this version superseded a previous version, the “Protect Education, Accountability Now Act”).
The initiative requires nearly 256,000 signatures to make the ballot.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Maricopa County officials are highlighting updated options for voters who receive ballots by mail as part of preparations for the 2026 election cycle.
In a recent post on X, the county directed voters to information outlining “more options for voters who receive their ballot in the mail,” including guidance on how and where to return ballots.
Arizona is a predominantly a vote-by-mail state, with the majority of voters participating through the Active Early Voting List (AEVL), which automatically sends ballots to registered voters ahead of elections. According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, early voting typically begins 27 days before an election.
A new state law taking effect in 2026 provides additional options for voters returning early ballots, including expanded in-person verification and tabulation procedures.
According to Maricopa County election officials in a recent video update, voters who bring a sealed early ballot in the required affidavit envelope to a Vote Center prior to Election Day may check in and provide identification, allowing the ballot to be processed without signature verification at the county’s central tabulation facility.
On Election Day, voters may also bring their early ballot to a Vote Center, check in, present identification, and have the ballot tabulated on-site using equipment designated for early ballots. County officials noted these tabulators are distinct from those used for ballots issued and cast in person on Election Day. Ballots tabulated at Vote Centers are included in Election Night results.
Voters may continue to return early ballots by mail or by depositing them in authorized drop boxes. Under Arizona law, early ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Maricopa County elections are administered jointly by the Board of Supervisors and the Recorder’s Office, which oversees voter registration and early voting.
Ongoing disputes between the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the Recorder’s Office over election administration responsibilities have resulted in litigation and disagreements regarding control over certain election functions since Recorder Justin Heap took office in January 2025.
Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko also addressed election administration in recent statements, emphasizing coordination between county offices responsible for conducting elections.
Speaking to KTAR News’ The Mike Broomhead Show on March 6, Lesko said, “We need to work together to run smooth elections, and what has transpired is frustrating, but we’re working it out between the Recorder’s Office and the Board of Supervisors.”
In a March ruling, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge denied a request from the Board of Supervisors to introduce testimony compelled from Heap, finding the board’s actions fell outside proper legal procedures and could interfere with ongoing proceedings.
The court also raised concerns about the board’s use of subpoenas and attempts to introduce evidence obtained outside the judicial process, while the broader legal dispute between the two offices remains unresolved.
Supervisor Mark Stewart, however, expressed optimism at the time, saying that the parties were nearing a resolution following the Court’s ruling.
“Regardless of the back-and-forth or expressed frustrations from the Recorder’s office and the Board Chair, we are making progress and working together. It may not be perfect, but it is happening,” Stewart said.
County officials have continued to provide voter education materials and updates as part of ongoing preparations for the 2026 election cycle.
The Joint Economic Committee released its analysis of the latest Monthly Trade Update, drawing on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, Treasury Department, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. recorded a total trade deficit of $57.35 billion in February 2026, an increase of $2.67 billion from January but 11% below the 12-month average.
The goods trade deficit stood at $84.60 billion in February, up $2.47 billion from the previous month and 8% below the 12-month average. Meanwhile, the services trade surplus narrowed slightly to $27.26 billion, down $204 million from January and 1% below the 12-month average.
Over the 12 months through February 2026, the cumulative U.S. trade deficit totaled $775.60 billion. This included a goods trade deficit of $1.11 trillion, partially offset by a services trade surplus of $329.60 billion.
Largest Goods Trade Deficits and Surpluses
During the 12 months, the United States recorded its largest goods trade deficit with Mexico ($194.61 billion, representing 17.76% of the total goods deficit), Vietnam ($187.93 billion, 17.15%), and China ($172.90 billion, 15.78%).
The largest goods trade surpluses were with the Netherlands ($65.56 billion), the United Kingdom ($42.57 billion), and Hong Kong ($36.16 billion).
Key Export and Import Categories
The top exported goods by value over the 12 months were civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts; pharmaceutical preparations; and non-monetary gold. These categories together accounted for 17.14% of total U.S. goods exports.
On the import side, the leading categories were pharmaceutical preparations, computers, and passenger cars, which together made up 20.25% of the value of all imported goods.
February Trade Flows
Total exports in February reached $314.79 billion, up $12.56 billion from January and 8% above the 12-month average. Goods exports rose to $206.92 billion, while services exports increased to $107.87 billion.
Total imports climbed to $372.14 billion, up $15.23 billion from January and 5% above the 12-month average. Goods imports totaled $291.52 billion, and services imports reached $80.61 billion.
12-month Overview
Over the full 12-month period through February 2026:
Total exports amounted to $3.49 trillion ($2.25 trillion in goods and $1.25 trillion in services)
Total imports reached $4.27 trillion ($3.35 trillion in goods and $917.14 billion in services)
The U.S. exported the most to Mexico ($343.77 billion), Canada ($327.91 billion), and the United Kingdom ($105.71 billion), which together represented 34.89% of total exports. Imports were highest from Mexico ($538.38 billion), Canada ($367.20 billion), and China ($275.12 billion), accounting for 35.52% of total imports.
Major export port districts included New York City, NY ($268.93 billion), Houston-Galveston, TX ($242.43 billion), and Laredo, TX ($166.74 billion). On the other side, the leading ports were Los Angeles, CA ($369.30 billion), Chicago, IL ($352.76 billion), and New York City, NY ($319.81 billion).
Import Duties and Tariff Rates
In February 2026, the U.S. collected $21.24 billion in import duties, 13.25% below the 12-month average. Over the 12 months, total calculated duties reached $293.80 billion.
The average applied duty rate in February was 8.48%, 0.56 percentage points lower than the 12-month average. The top categories by duty revenue were passenger cars ($28.62 billion at 16.54%); other parts and accessories of vehicles ($19.12 billion at 14.21%); and electric apparatus ($15.11 billion at 15.09%).
The leading countries of origin by calculated duty revenue were China ($94.80 billion at an average rate of 35.99%), Mexico ($22.93 billion at 4.28%), and Vietnam ($20.84 billion at 10.06%).
Terms of Trade and Currency Movements
The U.S. dollar weakened against several major currencies over the period: down 5.8% against the Chinese yuan, 12% against the euro, 6.4% against the British pound, and 16.1% against the Mexican peso. However, it strengthened 3.6% against the Japanese yen.
Export prices rose 3.54% year-over-year (2.22% for agricultural exports and 3.76% for non-agricultural). Import prices increased 7.44% overall, with fuel imports falling 10.53% while non-fuel imports rose 8.64%.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) grew by two new members last week.
On Monday, Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Michele Halyard, an oncologist specializing in breast cancer, and Steve Peru, formerly Coconino County’s manager.
“Dr. Michele Halyard is a leader in medical education who will provide expertise to the Board as the universities work to meet the state’s healthcare needs,” said Hobbs in an announcement. “Steve Peru is a longtime public servant with decades of experience who will bring his pragmatic leadership and focus on accountability to the Board. Our public university students deserve the best, and I’m confident Michele and Steve will help ensure the continued excellence of higher education in Arizona.”
Halyard’s past and present accomplishments included in Hobbs’ announcement referenced a fellowship with the American Society for Radiation Oncology, professorship of radiation oncology, vice deanship of the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, board membership with the Arizona Community Foundation, and membership with the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.
One thing not mentioned in Hobbs’ announcement was Halyard’s career-long DEI goals on reforming health care with health equity.
Halyard has spent her 40 years in medicine advocating for affirmative action and health equity in medicine, according to Mayo Clinic profiles on the doctor published in 2023 and 2024.
Halyard expressed her belief in the existence of structural racism in medicine, and its disparate impacts on patient suffering and mortality.
“I didn’t see a lot of people of color at the clinic either working or as patients, and I really thought what a shame that was because of the preeminence of healthcare that we deliver,” said Halyard. “People who, perhaps, feel shut out from the healthcare system, people who experience structural racism that prevents them from getting in for the best care, that really results in excess death, excess suffering among populations of people.”
It was under Halyard that Mayo Clinic initiated “antiracism efforts” by using affirmative action in recruiting.
Halyard’s husband is Phoenix City Councilman Kevin Robinson, a Democrat and former Phoenix Police Department assistant chief.
Peru’s historic dedication to DEI initiatives wasn’t mentioned in Hobbs’ press release, either.
Shortly after joining Coconino County as their manager, Peru took on a years-long effort by the county to recruit an individual for a DEI directorship position.
In the weeks following Trump’s inauguration last year, Peru posted a comment agreeing with another colleague’s LinkedIn post advocating for DEI in K-12 in the wake of the new administration’s policies.
Prior to joining Coconino County, Peru was the chief development and government relations officer at Coconino County Community College and former CEO and president of United Way of Northern Arizona.
Last September Hobbs appointed Jimmy McCain, the youngest son of John McCain, to ABOR. McCain’s appointment stirred controversy, not only for his conflict with Arizona legislative leaders and President Donald Trump, but with his role at a company that was a key sponsor of Hobbs’ inaugural committee.
Hobbs has also appointed Lee Stein, former assistant U.S. attorney and special assistant attorney general within the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
The governor’s two picks for student regents have backgrounds in gun control advocacy. Their contributions to ABOR include expanding time and resources for students’ mental health.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
