Arizona Republicans’ Proposal for Hand-Counted Paper Ballots Sparks Concern in Washington
A new proposal by Arizona Republicans to opt out of the state’s government-run presidential primary election in 2024 has caused anxiety among top Republicans in Washington. The plan, put forward by the Maricopa County Republican Committee, suggests holding an in-person election with paper ballots that would be counted by hand. However, the state party leader, Jeff DeWit, recently rejected the proposal.
The decision has raised concerns among national Republicans and advisors to former President Donald Trump, as it potentially sets the stage for political backlash in 2024. Arizona’s GOP has shown a shift to the right in recent years, influenced by staunch Trump supporters and election skeptics.
DeWit explained that the state party lacks the necessary funds, manpower, and infrastructure to organize an election for approximately 1.4 million eligible voters. This rejection highlights the divide within the Republican party between those who seek to drastically alter voting procedures following Trump’s electoral defeat in 2020 and those who accept his loss and aim to work within established election norms during the upcoming contest in 2024.
This battle over the management of Arizona’s nominating contest on March 19 reflects the ongoing turmoil surrounding voting norms, particularly within the largest voting jurisdiction in a state that will play a crucial role in determining the presidency and control of the U.S. Senate. It also reveals the consequences of the deepening dysfunction within the party, which has contributed to Democratic gains in Arizona, a state that has become more competitive in recent years.
Those supporting the Maricopa County GOP proposal argue that it demonstrates solidarity with former President Trump, who they assert has faced persecution due to his previous positions. However, Trump himself has remained silent on the issue, and his advisors have confirmed that he has not been involved in discussions regarding the proposal.
The concept of a single-day, hand-counted ballot has generated numerous conversations among Trump campaign advisors, Republican National Committee officials, and other individuals outside of Arizona who consider the state a critical component of the Republican Party’s chances in 2024.
Various Arizona officials, both for and against the paper ballot initiative, have lobbied Trump’s top aides, including Susie Wiles, Brian Jack, and Clayton Henson, seeking their support. Some have argued that Trump would naturally support the proposal since he has previously called for the use of paper ballots. They contend that Trump should issue a statement backing the idea.
For instance, Kari Lake, who campaigned for the governorship in 2022, has conveyed her support for the proposal to at least one Trump aide. Nonetheless, no formal request for the former president or his campaign to weigh in on the matter has been made.
However, other Arizona officials, most notably Jeff DeWit, have opposed the proposal, deeming it unworkable and potentially bankrupting the state party before 2024. They have raised questions regarding the motives of those advocating for the single-day election in Maricopa County.
Despite private discussions with officials in Arizona, Susie Wiles has informed them that the Trump campaign does not plan to take a position on the issue. Similarly, the Republican National Committee has decided to remain neutral in the fight.
The Maricopa County GOP’s proposal goes against efforts by the RNC and pro-Trump groups to embrace early voting following disappointing election losses. The RNC launched a program called Bank Your Vote to encourage early voting, while various initiatives led by influential Trump allies or his former advisors aim to expand programs that collect and return early ballots.
The majority of Arizonans already vote early using methods such as mail-in ballots, drop boxes, or in-person visits to early polling centers. Maricopa County Republican activists, echoing Trump’s sentiments, have blamed these voting methods, along with the vote-counting machines, for Trump’s loss and subsequent losses by other Republican candidates.
The chair of the Maricopa County Republican Committee, Craig Berland, has invoked election conspiracies to support the single-day election proposal. In late August, the county GOP passed a resolution demanding the state party withdraw from conventional voting procedures, which allow for mail-in voting and elections managed by local officials across the state’s 15 counties under the supervision of the secretary of state.
According to state law, parties have the option to opt out of publicly-run elections. Under the county party’s proposal, the financially strained state party would bear the cost of the election, establish rules, locate and set up numerous polling sites, and recruit, hire, and train election workers. As of June, the state party had approximately $200,000 in cash reserves, according to campaign finance records.
After extensive consultations with national Republicans, attorneys, and other party leaders, Jeff DeWit rejected the proposal, citing practical complications in terms of funding and volunteer recruitment. He also expressed concerns about potential legal challenges and unwanted scrutiny.
In contrast to their Republican counterparts, Arizona Democrats announced that they will participate in the traditional government-run primary in March. This decision allows left-leaning voters to express their views on the incumbent ticket. Democratic Party chair Yolanda Bejarano criticized the Arizona Republicans’ infighting, highlighting their focus on the fundamental principles of democracy while Democrats prepare to re-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The rejection of the proposal and the ensuing discussions underscore the deep divisions within the Republican Party over electoral procedures and norms. As the fight over voting rights continues, it remains to be seen how these internal conflicts will shape the future of the party and its electoral prospects in critical states like Arizona.
