Grand Canyon Times

PHOENIX – In response to action taken on Monday by the Mohave County Board of Supervisors directing the formation of a plan for a full hand count of ballots in the 2024 election, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes issued the following statement:

“As Secretary of State, my role is to support the counties that run our elections, which includes providing advice to elected officials who are responsible for the administration of our elections, in accordance with state and federal law. I am concerned that any plan to initiate a full hand count of ballots for a future election would put these officials in serious legal jeopardy, including possible criminal liability, for violations of state law. I urge any county official to consider the negative consequences to election systems, voters and taxpayers that would result from the introduction of election procedures that will increase the risk of error and have no legal basis or proof of concept.”

Secretary Fontes sent a letter to the Board detailing his concerns about its decision to direct the Mohave County Elections Director to create a hand count plan for approval.

The Board's action came in the wake of a letter sent by Sen. Sonny Borrelli to boards of supervisors across the state, which erroneously claimed that a Senate Concurrent Resolution barred them from using certain electronic voting machines. The resolution, SCR 1037, is non-binding and does not have the force of law.

Full text of Secretary Fontes' letter to the Mohave County Board of Supervisors is below.

Original source can be found here.