Arizona Secretary of State Fontes and Democratic Legislative Leaders Sundareshan and De Los Santos Unveil “The Voters First Act”

While Arizona Republicans, like their colleagues across the nation, routinely put forth legislative proposals to largely suppress and put barriers up for voting, Democrats have continually looked for ways to expand the franchise and access to the ballot box.

That was the main motivation behind Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Democratic Legislative Leaders Priya Sundareshan and Oscar De Los Santos at a press event earlier today, where they introduced The Voters First Act.

According to Secretary Fontes, the goal of the legislation is “Making sure that every eligible Arizonan can vote easily, securely, and with confidence that their vote can be counted.”

The legislation, if it sees the light of day in the Republican controlled Arizona Legislature, would, according to a press release from Secretary Fontes.

“Reduce Lines & Ensure Your Legal Vote Is Counted

• Use vote centers statewide.

• Restore the “Permanent Early Vote List” (PEVL).

• Extend early voting though 5pm on the Monday before the election.

• Count early ballots accidently returned to the wrong county.

• Allow the collection and processing of ballots continuously on Election Day.

Election Security & Infrastructure

• Modernize the 75-Foot Voter Protection Zone for drop boxes and voting locations.

• Mandate Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) participation to ensure accurate voter registration lists (With Funding).

• Provide Election IT & Cybersecurity Funding (Create a new special line item of no less than $1M in the SOS budget to support IT and cybersecurity programs).

Voter Communications & Transparency

• Provide Early Ballot Tracking & Curing Notifications (Require counties to send automated early-ballot tracking and curing updates via text/email with funding).

Provide Adequate Election Funding

• Allow the SOS and counties to accept privately funded grants supporting elections, voter education, and innovative programs as previously allowed and utilized by countless other government agencies.”

In addressing the need to modernize Arizona’s voting process systems and countering the rhetoric of election deniers and accusers of voting fraud, the Secretary said:

“For years now, election administrators and experts have raised alarms about the swirling rumors and lies surrounding our elections, and that they would turn into devastating policy decisions, and they were right—we have seen it right here at home.

These false narratives led to the near-constant framing that we hear, that Arizona should just “run our elections like Florida,” for example, and they would be secure or whatever other promise de jure would be foisted out there. We need to consider that if that is the case, that for every vote cast in Florida, $20 dollars is allocated, and for every vote cast here in the Grand Canyon State, only nine dollars gets invested per vote. If you are going to tear down trust in our systems and simultaneously fail to invest to protect our voters’ privacy and access to the ballot box, you shouldn’t be taken seriously when claiming to care about our voters. The Voters First Act is a research-based, commonsense proposal to modernize, standardize, and prioritize the voting process across all 15 counties in Arizona and it is built on a simple truths, this one particularly: access and security are not mutually exclusive. In fact, strong elections require both.”

In his concluding opening remarks, Secretary Fontes called on the Legislature to fund this measure, saying, “This proposal sends a clear message: the days of accepting the bare minimum in our elections are over…The Voters First Act puts voters first and now, it’s time for our legislature and legislative leaders to do the same.”

After everyone else spoke, he proclaimed:

“At the heart of this effort is the simple belief that our Democracy is strongest when every voter knows that their voice is being heard and that it matters…When we reduce barriers, we remind people that participation is welcome. When we fix preventable problems, we honor the effort voters made to show up and participate in leading their own communities. When we invest in security and modern tools, we affirm that their trust is worth protecting. And when we communicate clearly and transparently, we give every voter the confidence that the systems are working for them every day, regardless of their party or politics. That’s how we build an election system that lifts people up instead of wearing them down…”

Arizona Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan spoke after Secretary Fontes and said that she has introduced The Voters First Act in the Senate under the designation SB1262.

She further remarked:

“We have seen time and again the benefits of when we put voters first and when we come together to find bipartisan, common-sense solutions that benefit voters of every political party…“The Voters First Act builds on what’s already working in Arizona. It standardizes and codifies best practices that many counties are already using successfully. It restores policies that are popular with voters of all political parties, like restoring the Early Voter List. It makes significant investments in election security and cybersecurity, recognizing that modern elections require modern protections, and it increases access to the polls by extending early voting to the weekend and the Monday before the election…These are not radical ideas. They are common-sense proposals. They’re popular proposals that modernize and standardize our elections while keeping the focus where it belongs and prioritizing the voters.”

Sundareshan concluded with:

“At a time when trust in our institutions matters more than ever, we’re choosing cooperation over conflict, and we’re sending a clear message to Arizonans. We can govern responsibly. We can protect the integrity of our elections and we can expand voter access at the same time…”

In his remarks, Democratic House Leader Oscar De Los Santos offered:

“Arizona is not a state that can afford to be led by extremes. We are a state with many viewpoints, and our democracy works best when all of them are respected. Despite our diversity, there are a few basic things that most Arizonans can agree on. First, people who are legally qualified to vote should be able to cast a ballot without unnecessary obstacles. Second, people who are not legally qualified to vote should be prevented from doing so. And third, voters should be protected from intimidation or threats at polling places and ballot drop boxes. The Voters First Act delivers those shared expectations.”

De Los Santos concluded with:

“If there is one thing to know about this bill, it is about running elections that are secure, fair, and accessible all at the same time.”

In the Secretary’s Press Release, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes lent her support, writing:

“I appreciate Secretary Fontes’ leadership and focus on making sure every eligible Arizonan can vote and have that vote securely counted. The Voters First Act recognizes that strong election security and meaningful voter access go hand in hand. By investing in modern election infrastructure, cybersecurity, and clear voter communication, this legislation helps ensure Arizona’s elections remain secure, transparent, and worthy of the public’s trust.”