ARIZONA NEWS

Judge rejects Arizona Republican Party effort to eliminate most mail-in voting

Jun 6, 2022, 12:21 PM | Updated: 2:51 pm

(Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)...

(Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOENIX – A Superior Court judge in Mohave County on Monday rejected a bid by the Arizona Republican Party to eliminate most mail-in voting in the upcoming general election.

“Is the Arizona Legislature prohibited by the Arizona Constitution from enacting voting laws that include no-excuse mail-in voting? The answer is no,” Judge Lee F. Jantzen wrote in his ruling.

The Arizona Republican Party filed the complaint against the Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, each of the state’s 15 county recorders and the state itself, arguing that mass voting by mail is inconsistent with the Arizona Constitution’s requirement for a secret ballot.

The lawsuit was filed in Mohave County based on the fact that Kelli Ward, chairwoman of the Arizona GOP, lives there.

“Not only is voting by mail constitutional, it’s safe, secure, and has been widely used by Arizona voters for decades,” Hobbs said in a statement after the ruling was released.

“I will never stop fighting to make sure every Arizona voter can cast their ballot — and trust their ballot is counted.”

Ward and the state GOP originally filed their suit directly with the Arizona Supreme Court earlier this year, a highly unusual step, but the justices said it should go through a trial court first and they would only consider it on appeal.

Jantzen heard arguments from both sides on Friday.

The state GOP wanted Jantzen to ban no-excuse voting by mail in the 2022 general election in November, but not for the primary in August, for which ballots are scheduled to be mailed next month.

In his ruling, Jantzen boiled down the case to one point and sided with the defendants on that issue.

“It is important to note what this case is not about allegations of fraud in the voting process. It is not about politics. It is not even about whether the parties believe mail-in voting is appropriate,” he wrote.

“It is about one thing: Is the Arizona Legislature prohibited by the Arizona Constitution from enacting voting laws that include no-excuse mail-in voting?”

Arizona is among the states with the highest levels of mail voting, a system that has grown overwhelmingly popular with voters from both parties as well as independents. Striking down those laws would have had major implications for the 2022 election.

Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich declined to defend the state’s mail voting laws in court. Brnovich is running in a crowded GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

With Brnovich on the sidelines, the law was instead defended by lawyers hired by Hobbs, a Democrat, along with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which represented seven county recorders. The Arizona Democratic Party and three national Democratic Party organizations also intervened to defend the law.

“Arizona Democrats defended democracy and won, striking down the AZ GOP’s shameful, embarrassing, and unconstitutional effort to try and end early voting in our state,” Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Raquel Teran said in a statement.

Ward and other officials from the Arizona Republican Party did not immediately comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Stock image of a person carrying an umbrella in cold weather. The Phoenix forecast calls for cool t...

Kevin Stone

Chilling out: Upcoming Valley weather includes highs in 60s, possibility of rain

A weather system of cool air is poised to chill the Valley later this week and possibly bring rain to the Phoenix area.

1 hour ago

Bus through residence...

KTAR.com

2 suspects on the run after bus crashes into home in Mesa; several injured

Several people were injured and two people were on the run after a bus crashed into a home in Mesa on Monday, authorities said.

2 hours ago

Bales of hay are stored under shelters at Al Dahra Farms, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in the McMullen V...

Associated Press

Tensions over water are bubbling up at thirsty rural Arizona alfalfa farms

Worries about future water supplies from the McMullen Valley's ancient aquifers are bubbling up in rural western Arizona.

4 hours ago

Mugshot of Ivanka Koleva, who was arrested Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, for alleged involvement in her hu...

KTAR.com

Woman arrested for allegedly killing husband in Gilbert

A woman was arrested Monday in connection to her alleged involvement in her husband's death last week in Gilbert.

5 hours ago

Example of ADU or "casita"...

Damon Allred

Tempe seeking public input on accessible dwelling unit expansion

The city of Tempe will continue to mull over their options regarding the expanded use of accessory dwelling units, seeking more public input.

6 hours ago

aerial view of downtown Chandler...

Damon Allred

Maricopa County invests $10 million in Chandler housing

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a $10 million investment into low-income housing in Chandler, the board announced Monday.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

The best ways to honor our heroes on Veterans Day and give back to the community

Veterans Day is fast approaching and there's no better way to support our veterans than to donate to the Military Assistance Mission.

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) wants to help Valley residents address back, neck issues through awake spine surgery

As the weather begins to change, those with back issues can no longer rely on the dry heat to aid their backs. That's where DISC comes in.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Judge rejects Arizona Republican Party effort to eliminate most mail-in voting