The Pima County Recorder’s Office is under investigation following potential violations which may have suppressed thousands of Southern Arizona voters.
The investigation will focus on the fact that a week before the October 25th deadline to request a mail-in ballot, the Pima County Recorder’s Office shut down its online portal to request vote-by-mail ballots. The shutdown resulted in what is believed to be the cancellation of thousands of pending vote-by-mail ballot requests that had already been submitted. Those people requesting ballots were told to call the Recorder’s Office to request an early ballot.
In a tweet on October 25, the Pima County Recorder’s Office urged residents who had not received a ballot yet to also “request over the phone! Call us at 520-724-4330.” The flyer with that message warned readers that call volume would be high and urged them to “please be patient.”
Haven’t received your ballot in the mail for the 2024 General Election? You can request over the phone! Call us at 520-724-4330.
¿No ha recibido su boleta por correo para las elecciones generales de 2024? ¡Puede solicitarla por teléfono! Llámenos al 520-724-4330. pic.twitter.com/TjSdDC62L8
— Pima County Recorder’s Office (@PimaRecorder) October 25, 2024
Callers reported that they experienced significant wait times.
An Arizona State legislator is among those demanding answers.
Arizona State Senator Wadsack sent a letter to Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares Kelly requesting all documents pertaining to the mail-in ballot fiasco, as well as clarifications as to why it occurred.
“I was truly shocked to learn our County Recorder’s Office had done this,” said Wadsack. “These actions are absolutely unacceptable, undermine the integrity of our elections, and raise serious questions regarding voter suppression.”
“As a candidate for Pima County Board of Supervisors in District 2, I fully support investigations into the recent actions of the Pima County Recorder’s Office,” said John Backer. “The alleged shutdown of the online portal and the mass cancellation of pending vote-by-mail requests so close to the deadline is deeply concerning. Ensuring that every eligible voter has access to their right to vote is foundational to our democracy, and any allegation of suppression must be taken seriously.
