Election Integrity Efforts in Maricopa County
During my campaign for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, I made a commitment to engage with my constituents and ensure that our election process is fair, open, and transparent. I started my term in a period marked by significant turmoil, especially following two highly contentious election cycles. Given that Maricopa County is one of the largest in the United States and crucial to state and national elections, I recognized how vital it is to secure voter confidence across all political affiliations.
Throughout my career in public service, I’ve championed the basic right of every citizen to understand voting outcomes. It may seem trivial to some, but if voters don’t trust local school board elections, how can they have confidence in national elections, particularly the presidency?
As a state representative and later as a member of Congress, I supported various laws and measures aimed at enforcing voter ID requirements, verifying citizenship, preventing noncitizen voting, and abolishing ballot collection. I opposed a bill that would allow the mailing of ballots to noncitizens and would mandate states to allow ballot harvesting. I took pride in sponsoring the SAVE Act, which sought to ensure that American elections remained for American citizens only. A single vote from a noncitizen is simply unacceptable, and if passed, this legislation could significantly enhance the integrity of elections nationwide.
That leads me to my commitment to an independent audit of elections in Maricopa County. Shortly after I took office, the Oversight Committee approved funding for an audit. One aspect will involve a technology assessment to verify that our election equipment remains secure and disconnected from the internet during the 2024 elections. Another part will review operational areas like custody and security of ballots, overseen by an independent auditor.
This comprehensive audit was opened to the public for bids, allowing any qualified company to participate. After thorough evaluations, we decided to engage a reputable national auditing firm to assess our election system. This process will help identify both strengths and areas for improvement within our electoral framework. It’s crucial for voters in Maricopa County to trust our election mechanisms, and we hope this audit will help build that trust. I’m eager to see the outcomes.
Beyond audits, I’ve been committed to listening to diverse perspectives. There are many differing opinions on the current state of our election system and what needs to happen next. I genuinely value those voices and have made an effort to hear from individuals across the spectrum who contribute constructive dialogue. To regain public trust, we must maintain an open mind and respect differing viewpoints, ensuring that everyone feels included in efforts to improve our election processes.
Over the past year, I’ve engaged with the community through tours of the elections department. We’ve welcomed individuals from various political backgrounds and facilitated discussions with the team managing our elections. These tours have been beneficial. Participants leave with a better understanding of what occurs behind the scenes and a newfound respect for the staff who run our electoral systems.
The road to achieving true election integrity in America has its challenges, yet I believe that the investments we make will prove valuable. My daily work is focused on restoring trust in our electoral processes and ensuring that voters feel secure in their choices. The integrity of our democracy is a legacy that we owe to future generations.
