FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 9, 2023
Governor Refuses Commonsense Solution to Prevent Conflict of Interest in Arizona's Elections
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator J.D. Mesnard (R-13) is expressing disappointment that Governor Hobbs vetoed a bill with bipartisan support aimed at ending a conflict of interest currently allowed with those who oversee our elections.
Senator Mesnard sponsored SB 1264 which prohibits an elected elections officer or their appointee who oversees aspects of an election from being a member of a Political Action Committee (PAC), since the purpose of PACs is to influence elections.
"The fact that individuals who have the sacred duty of overseeing the integrity of our elections are also permitted to simultaneously influence those elections through a Political Action Committee is disastrous public policy," said Senator Mesnard. "Allowing such a conflict of interest to persist seriously undermines public trust. This legislation not only had bipartisan support, it was an absolute no-brainer. In her veto letter, the Governor claimed, 'There are few, if any, examples of election-related issues' from current policy, but in fact, examples do exist. And even one is too many. Regardless, why wait for there to be 'issues' when the conflict of interest is obvious and is itself a problem? Again, this is terrible public policy and allows for both parties to play games, which I fear will only escalate in light of her misguided veto." ###
For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov
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