Gov. Hobbs’ Closed Door Task Force Recommends 20 Changes to Arizona Elections

The Elections Task Force (ETF) created via executive order by Governor Katie Hobbs has recommended 20 changes to Arizona elections, including moves to prevent ballot drop boxes from being observed by citizen groups and restore the voting rights of felons.

Hobbs’ ETF agreed to advance 20 of 22 total proposals it generated to consider during a Thursday meeting that was closed to the public, including members of the media. It was the second full meeting of the group, which Hobbs chairs, since she created it via executive order in January.

One proposal advanced by the ETF, which is chaired by Hobbs, asks the Arizona Legislature to pass a bill addressing groups that monitor ballot drop boxes during elections, reported the Arizona Daily Star. Others include requiring new standards for “voting-related equipment,” the outlet reported, as well as moves to ensure a “consistent funding source” for Arizona’s voter registration system, allow Arizonans who move before Election Day to cast a vote in their new county, and set deadlines for recounts “when necessary.”

Another proposal advanced by the committee asks the Arizona Legislature to “consider” changing the law to allow voting rights to be restored for more individuals with felony convictions.

While the ETF describes itself as bipartisan, both Arizona State Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Mesa) and House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria) were opposed to participating, questioning whether establishing the task force was “an appropriate use” of Hobbs’ gubernatorial powers.

In a joint letter, Petersen and Toma accused Hobbs’ task force of limiting “the voices that can participate” and leaving “no room for legislative input.” They wrote “it would be inappropriate” to participate by nominating a County Recorder to join the task force. At the time, press secretary for Hobbs accused the lawmakers of “political stunts” in a statement to The Arizona Sun Times.

Former Maricopa County recorder Helen Purcell, a Republican, was ultimately made vice chair of the ETF. She told The Arizona Capitol Times she was “following the advice of the governor’s office” when asked why the ETF’s meetings were scheduled in secret, but defended the decision to close the public’s access to the meetings.

“We’re trying to come up with solutions,” Purcell said, according to the outlet. “Some of it may be legislative. Some of it may be best practices.”

Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, a Democrat, appeared to dismiss concerns about the closed door meetings in a tweet, writing she is “very proud” of the ETF’s work. Cázares-Kelly added it was “amazing” to speak with elections experts she is “not normally in rooms with.”

Headlines, amiright? Lol.

I’m very proud of the work we’ve been doing on the Governor’s Bi-partisan Election Task Force. It’s been amazing to discuss various issues and solutions with Elections Experts I’m not normally in rooms with. I’ve learned so much. https://t.co/s6Bh3BtLds

— Gabriella Cázares-Kelly (@GabriellaCKelly) July 29, 2023

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, also a Democrat, defended the closed door meetings when speaking to the press last week. According to KJZZ, Fontes said he is “a big fan of transparency,” but at times “you’ve just got to have those hardscrabble discussions among folks when you’re talking about what you think might or might not get through the legislature and why.”

Prominent Arizona Republicans, including former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, have publicly opposed the organization.

Lake, who maintains the 2022 elections in Arizona were tainted, called Hobbs’ creation of the ETF “the most ironic declaration since OJ Simpson vowed to find the real killer” and said the closed door meeting “is the type of transparency we’ve come to expect in our corrupt Arizona elections.”

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Tom Pappert is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Tom on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].