GOP Lawmakers Urge AZ Attorney General to Investigate Pima Recorder’s 2024 Election Actions

Arizona’s political landscape is heating up as two Republican state lawmakers, Reps. Rachel Jones and Teresa Martinez, have urged Attorney General Kris Mayes to investigate Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly. Their concerns focus on how her office managed the 2024 election, particularly regarding recent decisions that they believe could lead to election mishandling.

One key issue raised by the legislators is the closure of an online portal for early ballot requests. The closure came abruptly just prior to the deadline, allegedly due to an overwhelming number of requests, which the Recorder’s Office struggled to process. Jones and Martinez questioned the timing and rationale behind the decision, noting that about 6,000 requests were canceled just days before ballots were to be sent out.

Cázares-Kelly’s office claimed that the decision to shut down the portal was made to manage the backlog effectively. Chief Deputy Recorder Marion Chubon stated that many requests were duplicates or from voters with address issues. In response to the cancellation, the office reportedly sent emails advising voters of alternative methods to secure their ballots, like calling the office or voting in person.

Additionally, the lawmakers called for scrutiny of allegations surrounding the handling of undeliverable ballots by the U.S. Postal Service, emphasizing that voters should not have to face obstacles in the voting process simply due to changes in their address.

Martinez expressed skepticism about whether Mayes, a Democrat, would genuinely pursue an investigation, reflecting a growing tension in Arizona’s political climate. She indicated that she and Jones plan to file a public records request to delve deeper into this matter, aiming for greater transparency in election processes.

The narrative intensified with unfounded claims circulating on social media regarding potential election manipulation tied to early ballots. Amidst this, Cázares-Kelly acknowledged that a message on the Recorder’s tracking website was misleading, a situation that has sparked frustration among some GOP members regarding the integrity of the election process.

Compounding these issues, both lawmakers also asked for scrutiny of the Recorder’s efforts at voter registration drives in local jails. While they support enabling incarcerated individuals to register, they criticized the measures in place to prevent felons from voting improperly, underscoring the need for stricter regulations to protect electoral integrity.

As this political drama unfolds, Cázares-Kelly remains firm in her assertions about the office’s commitment to transparency and integrity. She pointed out that while the office is addressing concerns, the nature of voting logistics requires continuous improvement to handle an evolving electoral landscape.

The fallout from these allegations and calls for investigation could resonate deeply within Arizona’s political framework, as both parties grapple with public trust and the safeguarding of voting rights heading into future elections.