Voter rights groups in Arizona are pushing for an extension of the deadline for voters to fix issues with their mail-in ballots. The groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Campaign Legal Center, have filed an emergency petition with the Arizona Supreme Court to extend the deadline up to four days after a voter is notified of a problem. They argue that without this extension, tens of thousands of voters could be disenfranchised without any opportunity to ensure their ballots are counted. The petition highlights concerns about the delay in processing and verifying mail-in ballots, particularly in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous county.
Under Arizona law, voters who submit their ballots by mail should receive notice of any problems with their ballots, such as a signature mismatch, and have the opportunity to correct these issues in a process called “curing.” As of Friday evening, over 250,000 mail-in ballots had not been verified by signature, with a large portion of them coming from Maricopa County. Additionally, there were still nearly 200,000 early ballots awaiting processing as of Saturday, according to estimates from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. These delays in processing have raised concerns about the ability of voters to correct any issues with their ballots before the current deadline.
Taylor Kinnerup, a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, emphasized the office’s commitment to conducting accurate and timely signature verification. Kinnerup stated that all signatures for the general election had gone through the verification process by the end of Friday, allowing voters with questioned signatures the opportunity to cure their signatures. According to Kinnerup, the office is bound by the law, which allows voters up to five calendar days following an election to cure their signatures. Voters are contacted directly if their signature is questioned, but they can also check online to see if their ballot needs to be cured at the BeBallotReady.Vote website.
The push for an extension of the deadline for voters to fix issues with their mail-in ballots is part of a broader effort to ensure that all eligible votes are counted in Arizona. The voter rights groups behind the petition are advocating for greater transparency and accessibility in the election process, particularly in light of the delays in processing mail-in ballots. They argue that without an extension of the deadline, many voters could be disenfranchised and their voices silenced. The Arizona Supreme Court will now have to consider the petition and decide whether to grant the requested extension, potentially impacting the outcome of the election in the state.
As the legal battle over the deadline extension for curing mail-in ballots unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that every vote is counted and every voice is heard in Arizona. The state’s high court will need to carefully weigh the arguments presented by the voter rights groups and consider the potential impact of a deadline extension on the election results. In a year marked by challenges and uncertainties, the outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the integrity and fairness of the electoral process in Arizona. It is up to the court to decide whether to grant the extension and safeguard the rights of all voters in the state.
