AZGOP Slams Hobbs with Lawsuit Over “Blatant Overreach” on Ballot Drop-Off Rules

By Matthew Holloway |

The Arizona Republican Party has initiated legal action against Governor Katie Hobbs, alleging that her Executive Orders 2023-23 and 2023-25 violate the state’s constitution. These orders designate specific state-owned facilities—particularly those managed by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) and the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC)—as ballot drop-off sites. Furthermore, they mandate that state authorities provide and process voter registration forms.

Republican leaders, led by AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda, contend that Hobbs’s directives undermine the authority traditionally held by county recorders and local election officials. The lawsuit claims that the governor overstepped her boundaries by attempting to establish voting and ballot drop-off locations without legislative approval.

In the lawsuit’s text, the Arizona GOP cites, “Governor Hobbs unlawfully exercised her office by attempting to establish voting locations… which is outside her lawful authority.” They stress that state law clearly outlines who may manage voter registration forms and ballots, excluding the governor from this list.

Swoboda expressed strong disapproval, stating, “Governor Hobbs’ actions represent a blatant overreach of her authority and a direct violation of the separation of powers established by our Constitution.” She emphasized that the jurisdiction over voting and registration lies exclusively with the Legislature and local officials. Swoboda argued that these executive orders weaken public trust in Arizona’s electoral integrity.

Political analyst George Behizy weighed in, noting similar actions taken by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He asserted that Hobbs’s orders contravene Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which reserves the authority to regulate elections for state legislatures, not the executive branch.

Behizy remarked on social media, “These orders unlawfully designate state-owned facilities as ballot drop-off locations.” He referenced ongoing national debates about the clarity of state authority in election regulations that arose during challenges to the 2020 election in Texas and several other states. The U.S. Supreme Court opted not to take up that contentious case, which showcased a split among states regarding election law enforcement.

If the Arizona Supreme Court accepts this case, its resolution could have broader implications, potentially influencing national standards on similar legal questions surrounding election authority.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.