Arizona Governor Vetoes Four More Election Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. — From Tuesday, May 16 to Friday, May 19, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) vetoed at least four election bills. The bills were passed by the Arizona Legislature earlier this month, but the slim Republican majority in both chambers does not have enough votes to override Hobbs’ vetoes.

Hobbs vetoed House Bill 2305, which would have empowered political party-appointed individuals to observe the entire signature verification process, and House Bill 2308, which would have required the secretary of state to recuse themselves from overseeing elections in which they are a candidate.

Citing concerns over “anonymity and privacy — core tenants of free and fair voting,” Hobbs also vetoed House Bill 2560, which would have released more voter registration and ballot image data to the public. 

Finally, House Bill 2613 would have required 100% of the components of a voting or tabulating machine to be sourced in the United States. According to the executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties, that type of equipment does not currently exist, and Hobbs vetoed a similar bill earlier this spring. 

“This bill could create a situation where Arizona’s election administrators are no longer able to procure certifiable voting and tabulating equipment,” Hobbs wrote in her veto message for H.B. 2613. “It should be clear how catastrophic that would be for the successful administration of elections in Arizona.” 

Read the vetoed bills here: H.B. 2305, H.B. 2308, H.B. 2560 and H.B. 2613.