Adrian Fontes’ Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars to Boost Ranked Choice Voting Demands Scrutiny

By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |

Arizona’s electoral integrity is now under scrutiny as Secretary of State Adrian Fontes faces allegations of unethical conduct. Voters expect their representatives to adhere to high standards of honor and legality, but recent actions by Fontes have raised significant concerns.

After a court ruled in favor of a challenge to his controversial Elections Procedures Manual, Fontes intensified his attacks against the Arizona Free Enterprise Club. However, last week, he took a surprising step—filing a brief with the Arizona Supreme Court that some believe could breach ethical norms and possibly the law.

This brief aims to ensure votes relating to Proposition 140 are counted in the upcoming November General Election, regardless of its legality. Alarmingly, Fontes appears to advocate for disregarding approximately 40,000 duplicate signatures in favor of this measure. Such a position suggests a willingness to prioritize political objectives over electoral integrity.

Critics assert that Fontes’ actions reflect a broader ambition to introduce California-style election systems, such as ranked-choice voting and jungle primaries, into Arizona’s electoral framework. Observers argue that this push demonstrates a troubling trend in governance that prioritizes political goals over ethical responsibility.