Arizona Sec. of State Must Address Long Lines, Heat Before Tuesday Primary

Voters’ access to the ballot threatened by extreme climate conditions

Phoenix — Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, democracy advocates are urging the Secretary of State to address barriers to polling place access as Arizonans prepare to face already-long wait times during the current heat wave. The Arizona Secretary of State has also begun implementing excessive security measures for election processes that could lead to even longer lines for Arizonans outside of polling places. This escalating trend includes the recent fencing of designated election locations and employing bomb-sniffing dogs for citizens returning signatures for their ballot initiatives.  

Arizona is experiencing record-breaking heat and has already seen a rise in heat-related deaths. Implementing such extreme and untested security measures to election infrastructure adds fuel to election conspiracism while creating additional barriers to the ballot box.

Long lines are already a massive obstacle Arizona voters face when casting their vote — if “security measures” like bomb-sniffing dogs were to be employed on Election Day, it would only slow down the voting process and subject voters to even longer wait times in deadly heat. Instead of investing in costly and vote-suppressing alternatives, the state can invest in cost-effective measures that will improve the voting experience, like shade-oriented polling locations, shade umbrellas, and misters at polling places. 

Common Cause Arizona and Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) are urging the Secretary of State to address heat mitigation efforts and the long lines that will subject voters to dangerous climate conditions. The Secretary of State’s Office also has a duty to ensure that election security measures do not negatively impact voters or their access to the ballot.  

Statement of Common Cause Arizona Program Director Jenny Guzman: 

“All Arizona voters deserve to cast their ballots equally, equitably, and free of harm — that includes being able to make their voices heard, even in extreme conditions. We know that our summers are only getting hotter, making heat relief an overdue investment for our elections. Fans, hydration stations, and shaded waiting areas would help encourage more folks to cast their ballot during these hot summer months.

We also know that excessive use of force and increased security measures cause voter disenfranchisement — it does not make voters feel safer or increase turnout. In our tumultuous political landscape, we must protect election workers and voters from threats of political violence through tested and trusted protocols that do not impact the election process or accessibility of the ballot.

Arizonans can trust that their votes will be securely and accurately counted. It is now up to the Secretary of State to ensure that the voting process will be a safe and seamless experience for all Arizonans, no matter where they live in the state.”

Statement of LUCHA Political Director Chris Gilfillan:

“We support empowering voters throughout the state. But, what we know is that militarizing something like “bomb-sniffing dogs” at our polling locations won’t make voters feel safer. Voters feel safest when they’re in a welcoming and comfortable environment. Investing in our election infrastructure is important, and it’s equally important to ensure this is accomplished by meeting voters where they are and with what they need without encumbrance.”