In a move that could usher in legal challenges, Arizona’s highest officials have sanctioned the latest election guidelines. Despite its formal approval, the new Election Procedures Manual (EPM) may soon be contested by Republican lawmakers.
Drafted every election cycle, the EPM demands endorsement from the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state—all currently Democrats. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes highlighted the collaborative process behind the manual, stating, “The drafting process involved a detailed, line-by-line review with county election officials from across the political spectrum — Republicans and Democrats, from both large urban centers and rural counties.” He assured voters of its bipartisan nature and adherence to legal standards.
Nevertheless, Republican officials have expressed their discontent and threatened legal action over certain clauses. A significant point of contention is the manual’s handling of non-citizen voters. Fontes’ directive requires election staff to flag these voters for proof of citizenship, but Republican leaders like Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro argue such voters should be immediately disqualified and investigated.
This is not the first instance of Republican legal challenges against the EPM. The 2023 edition faced numerous lawsuits, with the final case concluding only recently. Despite the ongoing legal disputes, Calli Jones, a spokesperson for Fontes, confirmed that the manual remains operational.
One unresolved issue pertains to the Arizona Independent Party, formerly known as the No Labels Party. The EPM has postponed specific instructions about the party’s new name due to a pending lawsuit. The manual currently advises that a political party choice of ‘independent’ should be treated as non-affiliation with any recognized party, denoted as ‘IND’ on ballots.
Governor Katie Hobbs reiterated her confidence in the state’s electoral integrity, stating, “Arizona’s elections are free, fair and secure, and this Elections Procedures Manual will help keep them that way. I’m glad to approve this manual, which provides clear and consistent procedures for elections officials and enables them to do their jobs without partisan political interference.”
