Governor Hobbs Unleashes Veto on Controversial Same-Day Election Results Legislation

Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a significant bill aimed at expediting election results in Arizona. On Tuesday, she rejected HB 2703, which sought to alter the deadlines and procedures for returning early ballots, including limiting drop-offs to specific locations the Friday before Election Day.

The proposed legislation also included allowances for on-site tabulation during early voting and mandated that voters in larger counties, such as Maricopa County, confirm their addresses every election cycle to qualify for mail ballots. Voters in smaller counties would only need to do this every four years.

In response to the veto, House Speaker Steve Montenegro expressed disappointment over the continued obstruction of election reforms, emphasizing the need for more transparency and efficiency. Montenegro hinted at a potential Republican strategy to place the reforms on the ballot for voter approval, should they fail to gain support in the legislature.

“If they won’t act, we will—letting Arizona voters have the final say,” Montenegro stated in a social media post.

Governor Hobbs contended that the changes proposed in HB 2703 favored partisan interests. She criticized specific provisions regarding the Active Early Voting List and ballot drop-off procedures, asserting that the bill aimed to disenfranchise voters rather than improve election speed.

“Those were rejected. I won’t let partisan actors write our election laws for their own benefit,” Hobbs remarked after vetoing the bill.

Reactions to the veto were swift, with the Arizona Free Enterprise Club labeling it “foolish” and driven by political motives. AFEC President Scot Mussi claimed that Hobbs’ decision disregarded the majority of Arizonans calling for necessary election reforms.

House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos added that disapproval of HB 2703 transcended party lines, citing polling data to support his claim.

Furthermore, the Republican Governors Association criticized Hobbs’ veto, describing the rejection as a failure to embrace common-sense policies. They pointed out that Arizona continues to lag behind other states in timely ballot counting and reporting, which they argue creates unnecessary chaos and uncertainty.