Arizona State Senators Paul Boyer (R-Glendale) and Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) defeated several key election integrity bills in the Arizona Legislature last week as the only Republicans siding with Democrats. Republicans have a one-seat majority in the Senate, and since Boyer has angered Republicans for frequently voting with the Democrats against bills and thwarting election integrity efforts, he will not be seeking a third term after this year’s session. Former President Donald Trump endorsed former State Representative Anthony Kern (R-Glendale), a champion of election integrity, to replace him.
Several election integrity bills did pass the Senate, and will go back to the House, where they’ll be heard in committee before the full House votes on them. One would change how the state approves its official elections manual and another makes it a crime to help someone vote in Arizona if they’re registered in another state. A bill that prohibits the state from entering into a court agreement called a consent decree for election-related disputes is waiting for Gov. Doug Ducey to sign.
A bill that would have decertified the election failed last month when State Rep. Rusty Bowers (R-Mesa) scheduled it for every House committee, ensuring its defeat.
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