Problem:
Majorities of Arizona voters—55 percent—“believe it is likely that problems with the 2022 election in Maricopa County affected the outcome.” As one Arizona judge wrote, election day on November 8, 2022 (the 2022 general election) in Maricopa County, Arizona was marred by “widespread failures” and “technical problems” that led to “the anger and frustration of voters who were subjected to inconvenience and confusion at voter centers.” Lake v. Hobbs, CV 2022-095403 at 3-4, (Ariz. Super. Ct. Dec. 24, 2022) (Under Advisement Ruling). One of these failures was printer malfunctions that led to many “voters who had to wait in longer lines due to these failures.” Id. Yavapai County had similar problems in 2022, with malfunctioning printers causing long lines at at least one voting center.
These failures are part of an obvious pattern. For years, Maricopa County has consistently failed in its duty to administer elections lawfully and fairly. Instead of trying to fix these problems, the county tries to fight, silence, or shame anyone questioning its maladministration. And three big counties in Arizona--Coconino, Maricopa, and Yavapai--maintain a number of other unlawful election practices, including unstaffed drop boxes, improper early ballot curing procedures, and unlawful cancellation of voter registrations. Such brazen violations of Arizona’s law undermine public confidence in the administration of elections. Election administration in the three counties has been sloppy, shoddy, and rife with mistakes. Their mismanagement has made the State of Arizona the laughingstock of the nation.
Action:
On behalf of our clients, the grassroots organization Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona, and individual voters Eric Lovelis, William Joseph Appleton, and Laura Harrison, we have filed suit against Coconino, Maricopa, and Yavapai County alleging that they maintain a number of illegal practices in their election administration. The suit asks the court to issue declaratory judgments, as well as injunctions and mandamus orders requiring the counties to obey the law in their administration of elections. Among other things, the suit asks the judge to order that Maricopa County follow the proper chain of custody and reconciliation procedures; Maricopa and Yavapai County move back to precinct-based voting; the counties stop providing illegal, unstaffed drop boxes; the counties follow proper ballot curing and signature verification procedures; and the counties stop canceling voter registrations without voters’ knowledge or consent.
Result:
This case is currently being litigated.
