by Matthew Holloway | Mar 2, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday to allocate up to $480k to perform an election audit in cooperation with the Maricopa County Elections Department and the County Recorder’s Office.
According to Maricopa County, the board has approved funding for two distinct independent reviews to be conducted on the technology employed by election officials as well as a comprehensive review of election processes. VoteBeat reporter Jen Fifield revealed in a post to X that the cost breakdown will be $80k for the technology review and $400k to review election processes to be conducted by outside firms through the normal Request for Proposal Process.
The Board of Supervisors’ website for the review detailed that the technology review will “make sure election equipment was not tampered with during the 2024 election cycle and cannot connect to the internet. The last in-depth review of our tabulation equipment was completed in 2021, and the County has replaced and upgraded many components of our tabulation equipment.”
Regarding the process review, investigators will “include extensive research about key aspects of the election process, especially those that seem to prompt confusion or concern, including: Physical Security, Chain of custody, Tabulation.”
The board noted that “The process will be overseen by the Maricopa County Internal Audit Department and will be free of Board and staff influence.”
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Thomas Galvin said in a statement, “In my Chairman’s speech, I promised an independent review of Maricopa County election processes and procedures. That work starts today with Board approval of funding to our Internal Audit Department for a comprehensive review on key aspects of election administration in Maricopa County. We want to continue expanding transparency with the public and make adjustments where they are necessary. We welcome the opportunity to improve! I believe this comprehensive review, coupled with action from the state legislature to reform outdated laws, will give voters more confidence and ultimately strengthen American democracy.”
He posted to X, “The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hire an independent 3rd party to review our elections procedures & identify areas to improve. I’m proud to work with colleagues who are committed to operational excellence”
In a press release, Vice Chair Kate Brophy McGee, District 3, said, ““We are united in our belief that Maricopa County administers free and fair elections. However, I believe this comprehensive review will give voters more confidence and ultimately strengthen American democracy.”
Emphasizing the need for an audit by outside firms, Supervisor Mark Stewart, District 1, said in a statement, “Maricopa County deserves best-in-class elections. Today, a united Board took action to invest in a comprehensive, independent review of election processes and procedures because we recognize the value of outside expertise.”
“I hear it every day from friends and neighbors—they want a government that operates in plain view, that’s accountable to the people, and that jumps at the opportunity to get better. That’s what this comprehensive review is about, and I’m excited that we are moving forward with it on behalf of voters.”
According to the release, the board will release the findings generated by the auditors hired “in a public setting, without edits, revisions or changes,” with the board stating, “The auditors’ work will be theirs and theirs alone.”
In later posts to X, responding to reports from AZCentral, Galvin openly criticized the 2022 Election Audit conducted by the firm Cyber Ninjas, commissioned by the Arizona Senate. He said, “I’m very proud of the fact that we’re going to allow a third party to come in and show us where we can do better. But when we emerge out of that, you’re going to see a stronger, more robust board … advocate for much needed election reforms at the state level.”
“I actually think the timing is perfect. …we’re not defensive and that we’re open to new ideas,” he added. “This is how you do it — not the way the Cyber Ninjas audit was done. So, frankly, I want to show that this is the right way to do it.”
Following the unanimous vote, the meeting of the Board of Supervisors ended abruptly after four of the 19 registered public commenters spoke. Galvin cited “too much yelling” for the reason of the abrupt ending. The discord centered around the ongoing disagreement between Galvin and Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap regarding an agreement between former Recorder Stephen Richer and the outgoing Board of Supervisors, which set the election areas of responsibility for each office.
Merissa Hamilton of Strong Communities Action/EZAZ.org stated that Supervisors Stewart and Lesko remained to engage with the public following adjournment.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 2, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Last week, Governor Katie Hobbs announced her signing of Executive Order 2025-01 to direct the creation of Operation Desert Guardian, a joint task force of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security. The response from the GOP-led legislature showed frustration with the Governor’s move.
According to the Governor’s Office, the order is an effort to “expand border security operations in Arizona’s four border counties.” It also indicated that the operation will seek partnership with “local law enforcement, sheriffs, and the federal government to disrupt Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operations within Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.”
Hobbs said in a statement, “I’m proud to launch Operation Desert Guardian to combat the cartels, stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and secure Arizona’s border.”
“My administration has been in contact with the federal government and local sheriffs about the Operation, its critical objectives, and our shared commitment to keeping criminals and drugs out of Arizona’s communities. I have worked productively with the federal government on Task Force SAFE and partnered with local law enforcement to deliver critical border security support, and I look forward to continued partnership on our shared border security priorities. With Operation Desert Guardian, I’m confident we can take an important next step in our ongoing work to secure the border.” According to the Governor’s Office, the objectives of the order include:
- Identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities along our 370-mile southern border, and
- Combating border-related crimes perpetrated by TCOs by dismantling their supply chains and operating networks.
Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro reflected great skepticism of Hobbs’ sincerity and the lateness of her apparent concern for the border. In a statement to AZ Free News, Montenegro said:
“Too little, too late. For years, Governor Hobbs has refused to take meaningful action while Arizonans have paid the price. The border crisis has spiraled out of control under her watch, forcing the legislature to step up where she has failed. Republicans led the charge to pass critical fentanyl crime legislation and put a measure before voters—who overwhelmingly supported making it a state crime to cross the border illegally.
Montenegro added, “Now, with the crisis at a breaking point, the Governor is scrambling to look tough on border security. While I hope this effort delivers real results, it’s clear who has been leading on this issue all along—and it’s not Katie Hobbs.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Mar 2, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona legislator is seeking to defend the people of his state from being intimidated by foreign governments.
Last week, the Arizona House of Representatives approved HB 2374. The bill “strengthens penalties for crimes committed by foreign agents, prohibits unauthorized foreign law enforcement activities within the state, [and] directs the Arizona Department of Public Safety to develop a training program to help law enforcement identify and respond to transnational repression.” The bill was sponsored by State Representative Quang Nguyen.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of the bill’s progress, Representative Nguyen said, “I fled communist Vietnam as a child, so I know firsthand the devastating impact of government repression. No one in Arizona – no one in America – should have to live in fear of harassment, intimidation, or assault by foreign agents. This bill sends a clear message: we will not tolerate foreign governments trampling on our freedoms. House Republicans are committed to safeguarding individual rights, and HB 2374 ensures that our laws stand firm against those who seek to silence and threaten people on American soil.”
According to the press release by the Arizona House Republicans, the bill will “address a disturbing reality – foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), have used intimidation and coercion to silence dissidents, students, and activists living in the U.S. In one of the most well-documented cases, Chinese secret police established illegal operations in New York City to monitor and harass expatriates. Arizona is not immune to this threat. HB 2374 ensures that law enforcement is equipped to recognize these crimes and take action to protect victims.”
The proposal, if enacted into law, would “strengthen public safety by increasing felony classifications for crimes such as stalking, harassment, assault, and threats when committed by foreign agents to coerce or retaliate against individuals for exercising their First Amendment rights. It also makes it a Class 2 felony for unauthorized foreign law enforcement to operate in Arizona without state or federal approval.”
HB 2374 was passed by the Arizona House with a 35-25 vote. It will now head to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Mar 1, 2025 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A proposal to help keep cash in circulation is moving on in the Arizona Legislature.
Earlier this week, the Arizona House of Representatives approved HB 2683 “to ensure that businesses with a physical presence in Arizona must accept cash for transactions up to $100.” The bill was sponsored by State Representative Joseph Chaplik.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of the bill’s progress, Chaplik said, “Legal tender is exactly that – it must be accepted. Millions of Americans, including the most financially vulnerable rely on cash for their daily transactions. No one should be denied the ability to buy groceries, medicine, or other essentials simply because they choose or need to use cash.”
Chaplik added, “Not everyone has a credit card or a bank account. This bill protects seniors, working-class families, and those who prefer the privacy of cash transactions. It stops businesses from turning away customers who are simply trying to pay with their own hard-earned money.”
The bill was overwhelmingly passed by the state House with a 45-15 vote. Earlier in the month, HB 2683 was given the green light from the House Commerce Committee with a unanimous 10-0 vote.
According to the press release from the Arizona House Republicans, the legislation would “prohibit businesses from imposing extra fees for cash payments and establishes civil penalties for violations. The bill does not apply to online sales or private contracts but ensures that brick-and-mortar businesses cannot deny customers the ability to use U.S. currency.” The release also revealed that similar statutes are in place in the States of Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from Arizona Public Interest Research Group and Arizona Faith Network signed in to support the bill. Representatives from the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance, National Federation of Independent Business, Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce indicated their organizations’ opposition to this legislation.
HB 2683 will now be considered by the Arizona Senate.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 1, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Earlier this week, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled against two Arizona laws requiring proof of citizenship to vote: HB 2243 and HB 2492.
HB2243 was passed in 2022 and signed by then-Governor Ducey to authorize birthplace disclosure and county recorders to authenticate a voter’s citizenship based on “reason to believe” the voter may not be a citizen.
HB2492 was also passed in 2022 and signed by then-Governor Ducey to enhance the legal guardrails of the Arizona voter registration process, ensuring that proof of citizenship is required to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting in our elections.
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) called the ruling “outrageous and unprecedented” in a press release.
Scot Mussi, AFEC President, accused the Ninth Circuit Court of partisanship. Mussi expressed hope that the Supreme Court would take on the case and overrule the circuit court.
“It’s clear this circuit court panel is motivated by radical ideology, and not the impartial judgment of the law,” said Mussi. “After months of legal wrangling over this law, and clear guidance from the nation’s high court, the Ninth Circuit still wrongly believes that it is the final arbiter of the U.S. Constitution and our laws. This ruling will continue to sow doubt into our system of government and will cost much more in taxpayer dollars thanks to the emergency appeal that will be again filed at the U.S. Supreme Court.”
HB 2492 was authored by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and passed by the Arizona Legislature in 2022 to stop non-U.S. citizens from registering to vote and casting ballots in our state. Previously, a panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit allowed Arizona officials to reject state voter registration forms without proof of citizenship, which was part of the intent and purpose of the law in question. Yet, another panel on the same appeals court inexplicably overturned this order, vacating enforcement of the law concerning state voter registration forms, leading to an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court quickly overruled the Ninth Circuit’s order, allowing the provision on proof of citizenship for state voters to go into effect. This was the last court action in this case until the latest surprising decision by the Ninth Circuit.
Those involved in the lawsuit included pro-illegal immigrant activist organizations Poder Latinx and Chicanos Por La Causa.
In a press release announcing their victory, Poder Latinx executive director Yadira Sanchez claimed HB2492 amounted to voter suppression and enabled racial discrimination.
“Arizona’s ‘reason to believe’ policy was a clear attempt to suppress naturalized citizens by subjecting them to discriminatory scrutiny. This ruling affirms that no voter should be treated as less American based on where they were born,” said Sanchez. “While this is a step toward a fairer electoral system, voter suppression tactics continue to evolve, targeting communities of color and immigrants. Poder Latinx remains committed to our mission to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard and fully participate in our democracy, and to fight any effort to silence our communities.”
Joseph Garcia, vice president at Chicanos Por La Causa, expressed a general opposition to restrictions on voting.
“This is a victory for the voters,” said Garcia. “We must make voting more accessible, not arbitrarily more difficult. It’s simple: Everyone who is eligible to register to vote should be allowed to register and vote.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Feb 28, 2025 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
The average eighth grader in Arizona has the lowest reading scores on record, and about the same mathematics scores as nearly 30 years ago.
The Nation’s Report Card (NCR) 2024 Reading State Snapshot Report showed that Arizona’s average scores for eighth grade students declined to 254, the lowest point on record over the past three decades.
Data reveals that gains made by fourth graders in math and reading in recent decades were undone or reduced in the last few years, and by the time the student hit the eighth grade they were at the same level or declining past historic average scoring across both math and reading.
Average reading scores were 208 for fourth graders and 254 for eighth graders.
Fourth graders improved their average reading scores slightly based on records dating back to 1998, matching the national trend of slight improvements to average reading scores before a steep decline the last few years. However, eighth graders have generally declined in their average reading scores based on records dating back to 1998, much aligned with the national trend of average scores.
For eighth grade reading, Arizona was lower than those in 18 states or jurisdictions, not significantly different from those in 28 states or jurisdictions, and higher than those in five states or jurisdictions.
NCR also found that black and Hispanic students in Arizona had average reading scores double digits lower than their white peers: 30 and 22 points, respectively. Neither of these disparities were determined to be “significantly different” from those retrieved nearly 30 years ago (21 and 25 points, respectively). Male Arizona students scored on average 11 points less than their female peers. Students identified as economically disadvantaged averaged 21 points lower in their scoring, again determined to be not statistically different from nearly 30 years ago (23 points).
Average mathematics scores were 232 for fourth graders and 270 for eighth graders.
Fourth graders improved in their average math scores based on records dating back to 2000, matching the national trend of improved average math scores. However, eighth graders declined their average math scores in recent years based on records dating back to 2000, matching the national trend of some improvements around the early 2010s before a steep decline in recent years.
For eighth grade math, Arizona’s average score was lower than those in 24 states or jurisdictions, higher than those in seven states or jurisdictions, and not significantly different from those in 20 states or jurisdictions.
NCR reported that black and Hispanic students in Arizona had average reading scores double digits lower than their white peers: both 32 points, respectively. Neither of these disparities were determined to be “significantly different” from those retrieved a little over 20 years ago (37 and 33 points, respectively). Male Arizona students scored on average six points higher than their female peers. Students identified as economically disadvantaged averaged 33 points lower in their scoring, again determined to be not statistically different from nearly 30 years ago (28 points).
The last science scores gathered date back to 2015, and the last writing scores date back to 2007.
Sandra Christensen, board member with the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), claimed the decline in scores was because districts weren’t prioritizing academic excellence or student safety.
“We can no longer afford to govern districts like we did 10 years ago. Our students deserve better!” said Christensen. “We MUST focus on academic excellence and student safety. As a constitutional republic, elected officials report to you! Wake up and stop electing ‘get along to go along’ politicians that don’t listen to your voice!”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
