by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 22, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 21, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Fresh off their successful efforts to keep a majority in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Republicans voted to keep their chamber’s leader for another term in office.
On Tuesday, Senate President Warren Petersen won reelection from his colleagues in the chamber. Petersen faced a brief challenge from another member, but earlier that day, it was reported that the incumbent president would have a clear field to the nomination.
In a statement after his victory, Petersen said, “My esteemed colleagues of the AZ Senate have re-elected me by acclimation as Senate President. I am grateful for their confidence. The media got something right. This is the most conservative legislature in history. We will continue to deliver a conservative agenda that will protect liberty and promote prosperity.”
Petersen added, “With our expanded majority we will make sure our communities are safe and that our kids have the best educational opportunities possible. We will continue to lower taxes and eliminate government waste. We will work with the Trump administration to make sure our border is safe. We will secure our water supplies and our elections.”
Senator Janae Shamp was elected as the Majority Leader, and Senator Frank Carroll as the Majority Whip.
Shamp wrote, “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust The Republican Majority Caucus has placed in me to lead the Arizona State Senate. Together, we will work toward policies that strengthen Arizona, promote opportunity for all, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of freedom, prosperity, and personal responsibility. We will move forward with a united vision, grounded in our shared values, and with a commitment to serving the people of Arizona with integrity and purpose.”
Both Petersen and Shamp are two of the most conservative members of the Arizona Senate. According to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Shamp has a 93% lifetime score, and Petersen has a 94% score. Senator Carroll also checked in with a 96% score in the 2024 legislative session.
The leadership elections for Republicans in the Arizona Senate this month marked a drastic change from two years ago, when Petersen faced large uncertainty due to races that had not been called yet and a very competitive challenge for the role of the chamber’s President. Since winning that election and becoming Senate President, though, Petersen has staked a claim to his leadership responsibilities, He has united his caucus in deft opposition to Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ radical agenda, managed to advance some conservative priorities in the face of a bitterly divided Arizona government, and joined state and national efforts to defend several laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen also spent much of his time in the lead-up to the November General Election campaigning for vulnerable and new members of his conference, earning even more goodwill among Republicans. Despite vicious attempts from local and national Democrats to overturn control of the state legislature, Petersen’s efforts to keep the majority paid off in a big way as Republicans expanded their majority after votes across the state were eventually tabulated.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved a border security proposal in the November General Election.
Last week, Proposition 314 passed in the state of Arizona with more than 62% of the vote. The measure, which was referred by the Arizona Legislature earlier this year “makes it a crime for persons not lawfully present in the United States to submit false information in applications for public benefits and employment, and to enter Arizona outside ports of entry, or refuse to comply with orders to return; [and] criminalizes selling fentanyl that causes the death of a person.”
Republican state Senator Janae Shamp, who was instrumental in the policy within the proposition, issued a comment after the result, saying, “Our state law enforcement asked me to create this measure because their hands were tied when it came to protecting our communities from the atrocious Biden-Harris border crisis. When Governor Hobbs chose to ignore our laws, our law enforcement, and our state’s citizens by vetoing the Secure the Border Act, I knew sending it to the ballot was necessary. It’s what the people of Arizona wanted, and now, they’ve spoken.”
Shamp added, “The people of Arizona want safe communities again. Communities free of crime, deadly drugs, sex trafficking, murder, and harmful fraud. I’m proud to have sponsored this measure and to have seen it through to pass at the polls, but I was merely doing what I promised to do when I was sworn into office. I will always fight for what’s best for Arizonans! In this case, I believe it’s also what’s best for our country.”
After a state superior court judge ruled against efforts to keep the measure from the ballot in July, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen reacted to the decision in a statement, emphasizing the importance of the proposition being enacted by voters. He said, “It’s unthinkable Democrats and our Governor would stand with Biden and radical left activists, instead of the hardworking Arizona families who are begging for their elected leaders to secure our border and promote safety within our communities. As expected, the court ruled in favor of sanity instead of chaos, and we’re grateful we are able to provide this opportunity to voters to have the final say on.”
In June, former President Donald J. Trump was asked about this ballot measure when he was in Arizona for a campaign stop. He replied, “I endorse anything that is going to make it more difficult for people to come into our country illegally.”
The efforts from Arizona legislators to send this referral to state voters came months after Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, the Arizona Border Invasion Act, which would have “ma[de] it unlawful for a person who is an alien (unlawful immigrant) to enter Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry and outline[d] penalties for violations of illegally entering Arizona and provide[d] immunity from civil liability and indemnification for state and local government officials, employees and contractors who enforce this prohibition” – according to the purpose from the state Senate.
Senator Janae Shamp, the sponsor of SB 1231, had vowed in the aftermath of the governor’s veto that members of her party would continue to push forward solutions to combat the border crisis. Republicans in both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate came together to pass HCR 2060 in the spring, sending the border-related policies to the November General Election ballot.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 11, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
With his chamber remaining in Republican hands, Arizona’s Senate President is gearing up for a return to his position for the upcoming legislative session.
Senator Warren Petersen is running for reelection for president of his legislative body after deftly guiding his caucus through the past two sessions in a rarely seen divided Arizona government.
In an exclusive interview with AZ Free News, Petersen said, “I’m running for Senate President again because I want to build off the momentum from our successes over the past two years with serving as the necessary check against abuses of power and radical policies pushed by the Executive that Arizonans do not support. I also want to maintain unity within the Republican caucus while advancing commonsense solutions to the important issues impacting our state, like inflation, the border crisis, the housing shortage, water security, and providing our kids with educational excellence in their schools.”
Petersen’s service has largely endeared himself to fellow Republican colleagues, who are poised to vote in support of his reelection bid. Senator Wendy Rogers, one of the Legislature’s top allies of President-elect Donald J. Trump, told AZ Free News that she is fully on board with Petersen’s efforts to reclaim his post. She said, “Senate President Warren Petersen has my fullest support. He is deeply principled, loyal, and a true conservative. He stood by me when the chips were down, and that meant more to me as a career military officer than what people realize. You know who your friends are when they stick up for you in the crucible of the fight.”
Rogers added, “As a Republican caucus, we have come through a lot… together. Bonded. We are more conservative and cohesive and have had each other’s back under President Petersen’s leadership. The legislature is the closest to the people, yet the most difficult to corral. He has done yeoman work as our president and will continue to do so in this next cycle. It’s my honor to be in his corner with him.”
Another Republican, Senator T.J. Shope, weighed in on his support for Petersen, saying, “It’s an easy choice to support a guy who treats everyone fairly and runs the chamber efficiently.”
The Republican Senate leader has quickly put his stamp of influence on the state over the past two years in Arizona’s divided government, forcing Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs to relent on her key priorities in two straight budgets, stopping left-wing agenda items from becoming reality, and protecting key state and national laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes. Under Petersen’s direction, the Arizona Legislature has joined over fifty legal matters across the nation, including lawsuits, amicus briefs, comments, and letters. He is also defending at least five state laws that Mayes declined to intervene in.
Petersen’s prolific defense of state and federal laws has launched him into a conversation for state Attorney General as politicos start to look at the fast-approaching 2026 cycle. Many of the several briefs and lawsuits Petersen has signed onto are spearheaded by Republican attorneys general, giving him first-hand experience in the world of a state’s top prosecutor for select issues. If he would run for the office, it is unknown who – if anyone – might contend with him for the primary election nomination.
The election for Senate leadership positions is expected to occur this upcoming Tuesday.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
