Guest Column: Yuma County elections are run according to the letter of the law
Election integrity and security have been top of mind for Arizona voters in recent years.
Amid political tensions both nationally and internationally, our election system has come under increased scrutiny. I believe it is positive that residents are not only engaged in voting but are also eager to learn more about how our elections are conducted.
As a longtime resident of Yuma and a member of the Board of Supervisors, I know firsthand that our elections are run according to the letter of the law, and every eligible ballot is counted. As a cornerstone of our democracy, it is critically important to maintain easy access for all eligible voters while preventing any attempts to undermine the election process. Arizonans have a deep respect for free and fair elections.
Arizona’s elections are run at the local level, overseen by each county’s elections department . The men and women staffing these agencies are your friends, family members and neighbors. Moreover, the thousands of volunteer poll workers who assist at voting centers are passionate about serving our community.
Every county follows the laws established by the Arizona legislature, ensuring that the same rules apply uniformly across the state.
Arizona has a long history of improving election processes. During my time as county chairman and later as state chairman for the Arizona Republican Party, I worked closely with county governments to ensure that election boards operated with integrity.
Now, as an elected county supervisor, I collaborate with our elections to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and securely. Across the state, my colleagues are doing the same, continually working to improve processes and increase voter confidence and participation.
It is essential that every election be conducted by the book and remain beyond reproach. This ensures confidence in our election system and guarantees that voters know we have a secure and safe apparatus for electing officials. The best way to address concerns is through transparency–by sharing information about how elections are conducted, how ballots are counted, and providing timely updates about the status of ballot counting. Legitimate concerns must be raised and addressed promptly.
Mistakes may happen, but it is our responsibility to correct them quickly to avoid any impact on voter access or results. Arizona’s automatic recount law also provides an additional layer of transparency and accountability, especially in close races. This law ensures that votes are recounted accurately when necessary, so voters can be confident that the correct winner is named.
In fact, this law was very recently triggered during the recent 2024 primaries. This forced the Yuma County Recorder’s Office to host a Recount Logic and Accuracy Test on Aug. 14, 2024. The test is part of the county’s ongoing commitment to maintaining accurate and secure election equipment. Logic and Accuracy testing is a critical step in verifying that our voting machines are properly programmed and capable of accurately tabulating votes for each candidate. It is just one of the many safeguards implemented at both the county and state levels to ensure that our elections remain secure and reliable. What’s more, the results of that test affirmed that the system works!
With three votes, it was affirmed that incumbent Tony Reyes was declared the Democratic nominee for the District 4 seat on the Yuma County Board of Supervisors.
No discrepancies were found, and the L&A Test solidified the official results.
With Arizona’s growing population and shifting voter demographics, we are seeing more contested races than we did 10 or 15 years ago. This means that some races are not called on election night because the margins are too close. Results can also be delayed due to early ballots dropped off on Election Day. Arizona’s robust early voting system and the signature verification process for early ballots take time, and this can extend the vote-counting process. If you want to help speed this up, I encourage you to mail or drop off your early ballot a week before Election Day.
I am proud of Arizona’s election system and the cooperation among diverse stakeholders, community leaders and elected officials to ensure safe, secure and fair elections. While we may differ politically, we should all unite as a community in support of our democratic processes.
Jonathan Lines is vice chairman of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors
Published: Oct 7, 2024
