Wednesday, April 27, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lack of Leadership From Secretary Hobbs Continues to
Jeopardize Arizona Election Integrity
Phoenix, Arizona – Senate President Karen Fann (R-1) commends Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich for filing a lawsuit in conjunction with the Yavapai County Republican Committee against Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs for an ongoing violation of her mandatory statutory duty to codify an Elections Procedures Manual ("EPM") for the 2022 election cycle.
The lawsuit filed on April 21, 2022, states that Secretary Hobbs has not fulfilled her duty to prepare a new manual for the 2022 election and asks a judge to order her to produce a new one by May 4. Elections are the foundation of American democracy, and rules must be followed so that all eligible voters have the information needed to make informed decisions on the ballot.
The Attorney General (AG) seeks special action relief ordering the Secretary to comply with the mandatory requirement of submitting a legally compliant EPM for approval by the AG and Governor. The lawsuit states that the Secretary blatantly ignored state law by unlawfully including provisions related to nominating petitions and also disregarded a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court by allowing voters to cast ballots outside of their assigned precincts. Further the Secretary's EPM does not address highly contentious issues such as verification of ballot affidavit signatures and staffing ballot drop boxes.
"I fully support General Brnovich in his fight for fair and proper elections," said President Fann. "We are elected to protect the democratic process and to serve the people. Secretary Hobbs is engaging in the exact opposite by breaking the law and ignoring her duties as Secretary of State. She owes it to all Arizonans to follow the law and do the right thing."
The rules that would otherwise be contained in an EPM for the 2022 election cycle cannot be enforced in the absence of a valid EPM for that cycle. The lack of statewide rules to guide county officials in election administration could lead to arbitrary treatment of ballots, resulting in violations of Arizona election laws and post-election challenges.
To read the full 36-page lawsuit, click below:
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus