Arizona’s Election Manual Approved Amid Potential GOP Legal Challenges

Arizona’s electoral landscape is set for potential legal confrontations as the state adopts a new election rulebook. Despite receiving the green light from top state officials, this manual could soon find itself at the center of courtroom debates initiated by Republican lawmakers.

As mandated, the state’s Election Procedures Manual (EPM) undergoes updates every election cycle, requiring approval from both the governor and attorney general. Currently, these roles, alongside the secretary of state, are held by Democrats, shaping the manual’s direction.

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes emphasized the inclusiveness of the process, stating, “The drafting process involved a detailed, line-by-line review with county election officials from across the political spectrum — Republicans and Democrats, from both large urban centers and rural counties.” He assured voters of the manual’s bipartisan nature and its dedication to transparency and legality, adding, “With the policies approved here, we have successfully laid the foundation for 2026.”

However, Republican lawmakers are not entirely on board. They have raised potential legal challenges, focusing on provisions concerning non-citizen voting. The manual instructs election officials to flag voters needing citizenship proof, but Republican leaders, Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro, argue for outright voter rejection and law enforcement investigation.

The 2023 manual had previously been mired in legal battles, with the final suit only recently concluded. Despite ongoing litigation related to the current draft, Calli Jones, a spokesperson for Fontes, indicated that these do not impede the manual’s implementation.

Additionally, the manual has yet to address the rebranding of the No Labels Party to the Arizona Independent Party due to an active lawsuit. It notes, “A political party selection of ‘independent’ should be interpreted to mean not registered with a recognized political party and must be designated as ‘IND’ on the general election ballot.”

Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her support, affirming, “Arizona’s elections are free, fair and secure, and this Elections Procedures Manual will help keep them that way. I’m glad to approve this manual, which provides clear and consistent procedures for elections officials and enables them to do their jobs without partisan political interference.”