Hobbs Fulfills Pledge by Rejecting GOP Election Legislation

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican bill aimed at altering the deadline for submitting early ballots, a move anticipated following her prior statements on the proposed changes.

In her veto message, Hobbs emphasized concerns beyond the bill’s primary feature, which would have prohibited over 265,000 voters from dropping off early ballots on Election Day. She highlighted a provision that would disrupt the existing process for mail-in ballots, a system rooted deeply in electoral convenience.

Supporters of the bill argued it was essential for expediting election results. They asserted that early ballots turned in on Election Day delayed vote counting since signature verification could only occur post-poll closure.

The proposed Friday drop-off deadline would have enabled earlier processing of ballots, they claimed. Voters would still have the option to drop off ballots at vote centers on Election Day, albeit with new ID requirements not currently mandated.

Hobbs expressed conditional acceptance of the Friday deadline but insisted that GOP lawmakers integrate reforms like same-day voter registration, which the current law prohibits within 29 days of an election. She also advocated for policies allowing residents relocating between counties to maintain their voter registration without complications.

However, she found the bill unacceptable primarily due to its impact on the Active Early Voting List, a system that ensures voters receive early ballots automatically.

Currently, approximately 3.3 million Arizonans—about 75% of registered voters—are on this list. The vetoed HB 2703 would have required early mail voters to confirm their addresses more frequently than current regulations dictate, adding layers of bureaucracy to a system designed for accessibility.

Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a key supporter of the bill, defended the changes, stating they were intended to reassure voters that they would receive ballots at their registered addresses. He warned that failing to confirm residency could lead to ballots being sent to outdated addresses.

Hobbs countered that this amendment essentially dismantled the Active Early Voting List and created unnecessary obstacles for voters who prefer mail-in voting. “Making it less convenient to vote is something I have consistently said I cannot support,” she remarked.

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes echoed Hobbs’s concerns, affirming that early voting remains the preferred voting method in Arizona. He cautioned against any attempts to compromise this process.

Hobbs has stated her willingness to engage in “good-faith negotiations.” Nevertheless, Republican lawmakers showed little interest in collaboration.

On the eve of the veto, the House passed HCR 2013, which encapsulates the bill’s provisions but aims to present them directly to voters in 2026, bypassing the governor’s approval. This new measure also introduces a ban on election officials using foreign funds to support administrative functions, an extension of existing laws prohibiting foreign donations to campaigns.