F. Ann Rodriguez has decided to retire after 27 years of honorable service as the Pima County Recorder.
Kim Challender would like to succeed her and she has the resume to support her candidacy.
A valued leading figure in the Pima County Recorder Office, Ms. Challender is currently the Assistant Chief Deputy Recorder. Prior to that, she held the title of Senior Administrative Specialist, charged with a variety of activities including human resources, budgeting, and communications. She is also a Certified Election Officer that has participated in 14 elections.
A fervent believer in the LoUng quote, “voting is not only our right. It is our Power,” Ms, Challender wants to expand voting access for Pima County residents and upgrade the technological infrastructure at the Recorders office to accomplish that task.
If victorious in November 2020, her experience would pave the way to a smooth transition to the leading position at the Recorders office.
Ms. Challender graciously discussed her candidacy to become the next Pima County Recorder and her goals should she win next fall.
The questions and her responses are below.
- Please tell the reader what are two reasons you want to run for Pima County Recorder.
“I started five years ago at the Recorders office. My father ran for school board office (among others) and that instilled a value to register to vote. I started work in the Human Resource Division at the Recorders and then moved up to Assistant Chief Deputy Recorder. It is a very efficient operation and F. Ann Rodriquez does an amazing job. I’ve learned so much for her. It is important to continue the legacy of IT advances and reforms while maintaining election integrity and voter engagement. At the end of the day, we all want is best for the voters.”
- Please tell the readers what are at least two qualifications you have to run for Pima County Recorder.
“I have five years working there and I have experience hiring and training permanent staff (40 to 200 depending on whether it is an election year.) I manage the IT Department and I have experience working with Homeland Security and the Arizona Secretary of State’s office on cybersecurity measures. I have 14 elections under my belt and I am a certified election officer. I help create and manage the six million dollar office budget as well as overseeing the land recording transaction process.”
- Please tell the reader what are at least two goals you want to pursue if elected in November 2020.
- “Working with the legislature on initiatives like expanding vote by mail, same-day registration (or shrink the 29-day cutoff.) If someone does not want to be a registered voter, they should choose to opt-out.”
- “Keeping our computer system healthy and the voter information safe along with maintaining voter engagement through outreach and cooperation with outside voter registration groups and getting out in the community more (Tucson has about 82 percent voter registration.)”
- What are at least two reasons you would be a better Pima County Recorder than your Republican opponent?
“My Republican opponent does not have an understanding of what goes on in the office whether it is land transactions or voter registration. He is more concerned about elections. He says on his website we should be proud of the elections run in Pima County. I agree and will continue to run good elections when I am the next Recorder.”
- Please describe your position on PEVL and to what extent do you encourage all Pima County residents to enroll in it.
“I would absolutely love to see all mail-in ballot in Pima County. Almost 90 percent voted early (mostly by mail) in the last election. That does not mean we would not have an in-person option or replacement ballot sites. It is a lot less expensive to run early voting than Poll place voting. There would be fewer provisional ballots cast, which would turn around election results faster.“
- Please tell the reader anything you would like to know about yourself or the campaign not covered in the previous five questions.
“The 2020 Census and redistricting will change voting areas for the 2022 election. The big project coming up for the next Recorder is planning for the census results and redistricting. We will also have the system in place for residents of the Tohono O’odham Nation and other voters without street addressing.”
For more information on Kim Challender and her candidacy, please click on her webpage here and her Facebook Page here.
Please remember to:
- Register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail. Arizona residents can sign up at: servicearizona.com
- Arizona residents, mail your General Election ballot by October 28, 2020, for the November 3, 2020 election
- Check-in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
- Know the voting ID requirements in your state.
- If you can, support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
Remember Election Day is 190 days away on November 3. 2020.