Republican lawmakers in Arizona are calling for investigations into Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly over her handling of the 2024 general election, accusing her of closing an early ballot portal before the legal deadline for early voting requests, in addition to two other claims of possible misconduct.
Arizona state representatives Teresa Martinez and Rachel Jones wrote a letter to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes last week asking for an investigation following reports of “significant and deeply concerning issues” regarding the actions of Cazares-Kelly in the run-up to and during the election, lawmakers said in a joint statement Monday. Cazares-Kelly, a progressive Democrat, has been in power since 2021.
Martinez and Jones allege the Pima County Recorder’s Office disabled its online ballot application system six days before the legal deadline, impacting nearly 4,000 voters. They say the decision has raised concerns about compliance with Arizona’s election laws and capabilities disenfranchising voters in the county, located in southern Arizona. The county has a population of just over 1 million, according to the 2020 census, making it Arizona’s second-most populous county after Maricopa County.
Republican lawmakers in Arizona are calling for investigations into Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, pictured, over her handling of the 2024 general election, accusing her of closing an early voting portal before the legal deadline for early voting requests, among two other claims of misconduct. (REUTERS/Rebecca Noble, left, and Nick Oza-USA TODAY NETWORK, right.)
The pair have also raised concerns that inadequate safeguards in the Recorder’s prisoner voter registration program have allowed ineligible individuals to vote. They say previous inquiries into the matter, including a letter from Jones and state Rep. Cory McGarr on June 5, have gone unanswered.
Third, Martinez and Rachel Jones say the methodology of how undeliverable ballots were processed, stored and tracked under Cazares-Kelly’s leadership has also been raised.
A follow-up letter sent by Jones and McGarr on October 24 to clarify compliance Arizona law also received no response, according to the letter.
“Election integrity is the foundation of our democracy, and voters deserve to know that their elections are conducted fairly, lawfully and transparently,” Martinez said in a statement. “The numerous irregularities and lack of accountability of the Pima County Recorder’s Office require a full investigation.”
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Arizona State Representatives Teresa Martinez and Rachel Jones wrote a letter last week to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (pictured) requesting an investigation following reports of “significant and deeply concerning issues ‘ regarding Cazares-Kelly’s actions leading up to and during the election. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Jones added: “When nearly 4,000 voters face barriers to requesting a ballot, and when questions about illegal voting and ballot processing are met with silence, it is clear that immediate action is needed to maintain public confidence. recover.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Cazares-Kelly’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
A spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office said it has received the letter but declined to comment further. He tells Fox News Digital that the attorney general’s office does not comment on potential investigations.
Cazares-Kelly is the first Native American woman elected to a seat in Pima County, according to her campaign website. She is the president of the Progressive Democrats of Southern Arizona and vice president of the Native American Caucus of the Arizona Democratic Party.
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During his campaign, Trump called Cheney a war hawk and postulated how she would feel in a war zone with “nine barrels shooting at her.” (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson; Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
In Martinez and Jones’ letter, the pair referred to Mayes’ comments last month that her office was investigating whether President-elect Trump’s comments about former Republicans Rep. Liz Cheney qualifies as a death threat under Arizona law.
During his campaign, Trump called Cheney a war hawk and postulated how she would feel in a war zone with “nine barrels shooting at her.”
“Arizonans deserve free, fair and transparent elections,” the letter reads. “In light of your recent decision to immediately investigate President-elect Donald Trump’s speech (although you later determined that his comments were protected by the First Amendment), we hope you will agree that the alarming Conduct of Recorder Cazares-Kelly during the 2024 general election warrants a thorough investigation.”
READ THE LETTER BELOW. APP USERS CLICK HERE.
