Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club has called for an investigation into Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ potential misuse of taxpayer funds in connection with Proposition 140. The organization also requests his recusal from overseeing ballot tabulation related to initiatives in the upcoming election.

Fontes filed a brief with the Arizona Supreme Court in the case of Smith v. Fontes, advocating for votes on Proposition 140 to be counted in the upcoming general election, despite concerns over duplicate signatures. According to a press release by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Fontes' involvement in the campaign supporting Proposition 140 and his connection to the nonprofit behind it has raised concerns about his impartiality in overseeing the election process.

The brief, not requested by the court, was submitted while Fontes took a different legal stance in a separate case on the same day, where he argued for the exclusion of votes for a Republican candidate. According to the press release, Proposition 140 is under legal scrutiny as a challenge over the validity of signatures could determine its eligibility for the ballot. The measure aims to introduce ranked-choice voting and open primaries in Arizona.

Scot Mussi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, said, "We believe that a public investigation of the Secretary’s overt political actions is necessary, specifically to determine whether taxpayer resources may have been deployed in support of the Yes On Prop 140 campaign." Mussi added, "In addition, Fontes must recuse himself of any involvement of ballot tabulation related to initiatives in the November General Election due to his partisan shenanigans here. Arizona voters must have complete trust in their officials to conduct themselves honorably, ethically, and lawfully in every matter concerning our sacred elections."

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club is an organization focused on reducing income and property taxes, opposing subsidies and special interest benefits, and supporting regulatory reform. It advocates for fiscal discipline, limited government, and a balanced budget.