Voter Intimidation Alleged in Arizona
Arizona Secretary of State and current candidate for governor Katie Hobbs (D) charged that "efforts by right-wing extremists to observe ballot drop boxes is a fundamental invasion of a voter's right to cast a ballot in total secrecy. The reason why we place our drop boxes in unsupervised public locations is meant to ensure a secret ballot. We don't monitor these boxes in-person or by video cameras as part of our responsibility to ensure that no one has the right to observe another person voting."
Hobbs' opponent in the governor's race, former TV news anchor Kari Lake (R), challenged Hobbs' interpretation of the secret ballot law, saying that "the right to cast a secret ballot means that no one is entitled to observe you marking your choices. Those voting at the polls on election day are required to show photo IDs to obtain their ballot. Those dropping off ballots are only permitted to drop off their own ballot or ballots for immediate family members. These ballots must be signed and dated. The integrity of dropped off ballots should be enforced by monitoring the drop boxes. If the Secretary of State won't monitor them, citizens video taping the individuals dropping off ballots is a second-best option."
Hobbs argued that "dropping off ballots in bulk is more efficient than having each individual voter make the trip. This is especially true with gas prices being so high. Having one person bundle ballots from a neighborhood, nursing home, or homeless encampment saves money and increases the total number of ballots cast. When I ran for and was elected as Secretary of State I promised to maximize the number of votes that can be cast. I won't let vote-suppression under the guise of deterring ballot stuffing destroy our democracy."
Lake questioned the propriety of Hobbs role in overseeing an election in which she is a candidate. "If she wanted to dispel suspicion she would have resigned as Secretary of State or, at least recused herself from direct involvement in the vote gathering and counting process."
Hobbs countered by pointing out that "I've only spent 19 days at my desk in the last six months. So, I'd say I'm about 90% recused. I'm confident that my highly competent staff can handle things without my direct involvement." This is the same staff that has already sent out 6,000 incorrect vote-by-mail ballots.
Melody Jennings, the founder of Clean Elections USA, has teams of observers monitoring ballot drop boxes in Arizona, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Oregon. "We want ballot stuffers and stealers to know they are being observed," she said. "We photograph them. We video tape them. If any funny business turns up we will have an opportunity to identify potential suspects, although this sometimes is impeded when the license plates on a vehicle dropping off ballots is covered. What legitimate voter would go to the trouble to cover his license plate? How do the election fraud deniers explain that?"
by John Semmens
