Arizona Republican lawmakers have called for a full inquiry into the actions of Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly during the recent election cycle.
According to Fox News, This request follows allegations of misconduct including issues with an early voting portal, voter registration for inmates, and management of undeliverable ballots.
State Representatives from Arizona, Teresa Martinez, and Rachel Jones, have raised serious concerns regarding the administration of the 2024 general elections by Gabriella Cazares-Kelly. They pinpointed the premature shutdown of an online ballot request platform which should have remained operational until six days later, potentially impacting about 4,000 voters' ability to participate.
Beyond the early closure of the ballot request system, the lawmakers criticized the program handling voter registration for prison inmates. They questioned its effectiveness in preventing ineligible individuals from casting votes. Issues regarding the handling, storage, and tracking of undeliverable ballots also highlighted a lack of transparency and accountability in these processes.
These complaints were first voiced in a letter back in June, followed by a further reminder in October. Both attempts to seek clarification went unanswered, leading to heightened frustrations among the legislators. In response, Gabriella Cazares-Kelly issued a press release on November 19, explaining her actions.
Cazares-Kelly detailed that the early shutdown was prompted by a district boundary error that delayed ballot printing and led to operational difficulties due to an overwhelming surge in ballot requests. She emphasized that the majority of these requests were duplicates, as 39% pertained to voters already registered for automatic ballots. The response of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to the call for an investigation into these matters remains pending. Meanwhile, public interest in the integrity and transparency of local elections continues to grow.
"Election integrity is the foundation of our democracy, and voters deserve to know their elections are being administered fairly, lawfully, and transparently," commented State Representative Teresa Martinez on the issue. Their concerns underscore the critical nature of maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Arizona’s first Native American woman to serve as Pima County Recorder, Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, has been in the spotlight not only for her historic election but now for these controversies affecting her office. She has held notable positions in local and state Democratic organizations since her election in 2021, which adds layers of public scrutiny to her administrative practices.
When nearly 4,000 voters face barriers to requesting a ballot, and when questions about unlawful voting and ballot processing are met with silence, it’s clear that immediate action is needed to restore public trust.
— Rachel Jones
Gabriella Cazares-Kelly explained the manual nature of the ballot request process, noting, "The processing of online ballot requests is still a very manual process in our office, requiring us to look up each voter record and review many pieces of information."
"I am confident that most of the voters who requested a ballot using our online form either received their already queued ballots, voted early in person, updated their addresses online, or successfully requested a mail ballot," Cazares-Kelly added, hoping to reassure the public about the measures in place to ensure every eligible voter could vote.
As discussions continue and the potential for an official investigation looms, the situation underscores the delicate balance required to manage electoral processes effectively while maintaining the trust of the voting public. The outcomes of this inquiry may have significant implications for future elections in Arizona.
In conclusion, issues such as the premature closure of a ballot request portal, questionable voter registration practices for inmates, and concerns over the handling of undeliverable ballots have cast doubt over the election processes in Pima County. These matters highlight the essential need for transparency, accuracy, and prompt communication in election administration to uphold the integrity that both officials and the public seek to protect.
