No surprise here.
After warning Arizona Legislative Republicans that she would not support their version of speeding up election results that would do away with the State Active Early Voting List (AEVL) and deprive voters of the ability to drop off their ballots on Election Day, Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed HB2703 that passed the State Legislature without any Democratic votes.
While Republicans are doing the ritual ‘how dare she’ bust a gut temper tantrum and big lies (Calling their ideas common sense. Quoting Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride “You keep saying those words. I don’t think it means what you think it means”) that all authoritarian anti-democratic bully wannabes do when they do not get the way, the Governor penned a letter again explaining her reasoning for the veto.
In her letter, she wrote:
“While I too want faster election results, the solution should not needlessly restrict Arizona citizens’ freedom to vote or undermine the learning and safety of students in public school districts…Making it less convenient to vote is something I have said I can not support. Arizonans are relying on us to work together and put their rights ahead of a partisan agenda…Unfortunately any potential compromise was rejected leading me to believe the focus of this legislation is disenfranchising eligible voters, not delivering faster election results for Arizonans…”
Later on social media, the Governor posted:
Today, I vetoed HB2703.
“I offered compromises that would have sped up our election results while protecting voting rights. Those were rejected. I won’t let partisan actors write our election laws for their own benefit. This partisan bill effectively ends the Active Early Voting List, gutting the vote by mail program that countless Arizonans rely on. This policy does nothing to speed up election results, but does make it harder to vote. It also restricts late-early ballot drop-offs. I offered compromises that include that change, but also policies like same day voter registration, cross-county portability of registration, and more assistance for eligible voters to return their ballots to protect voter access. And, I have already signed legislation that can drastically reduce the number of ballots requiring signature verification and slash vote counting times. Compromise was rejected. After adding partisan policies that do nothing to speed up election results and refusing to compromise to protect voting access, it’s clear to me the focus of this bill is disenfranchising voters for partisan gain, not speeding up election results.”
According to reporting from Stacey Barchenger of AZ Central, Republican legislators will now vote to put their voter suppression ideas on the ballot for the people to decide.
Reaction from Democratic Legislative Leadership has been in lockstep with the Governor.
Democratic Senate Leader and ADLCC Co-Chairperson Priya Sundareshan broadcasted the below video statement.
In the video, the Senator said:
Today, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2703. This Republican backed measure would have gutted the Active Early Voting List or AEVL that over 80% of Arizona voters use to cast their ballot early. On top of gutting your ability to consistently vote by mail, this proposal would have required roughly an additional 300,000 more voters to stand in line and cast their ballot in person rather than having the ability to drop it off as they do now. Republicans attempted to use this moment as an excuse to reduce voter access under the guise of having election results called earlier, when in reality, expanding voter access and achieving faster election results are not mutually exclusive. Republican impatience, and frankly, their lack of restraint when it comes to filling the ballot with all those referrals to bypass the Governor should never be used as an excuse to reduce voter access. Democrats offered a number of compromises to ensure that Arizonans can see faster election results. But Republicans rejected them. I want to give my sincere thanks to Governor Hobbs for vetoing this measure and safeguarding Arizona’s fundamental right to vote and to make their voices heard.”
House Democratic Leader and ADLCC Board Co-Chairperson Oscar De Los Santos issued a statement in a joint press release with Arizona Democratic Party Chairperson Robert Branscomb.
De Los Santos stated:
“HB 2703 was not an honest attempt to reform our election system but Republicans know that – this bill was just their latest endeavor to decimate early voting and suppress the vote in order to cling to power. Rather than legislate in ways that help Arizonans, like protecting our democracy, Republicans continue to put forward policies that harm our state. Democrats are prepared to fight back against all voter suppression efforts and will not allow Republicans to abuse their power to retain electoral advantages.”
Chairperson Branscomb wrote:
“Governor Hobbs’ first veto of session protects Arizonans’ voices. While Republicans push legislation that silences Arizonans as a last-ditch effort to hold onto power, Governor Hobbs and Arizona Democrats are delivering on lowering the cost of groceries, funding public schools, and protecting our water. Arizonans see past Republicans’ relentless attacks on our rights and are ready to re-elect statewide incumbents that are focusing on them.”
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