On March 11, 2026, Arizona State Representative John Gillette presented findings regarding alleged voter registration irregularities to the Arizona House Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections. He intends to refer these findings to federal authorities, highlighting potential violations of election administration laws.
1. Allegations of Voter Registration Irregularities
• Gillette’s investigative packet includes evidence of discrepancies between county election records and the Arizona Secretary of State’s reported figures.
• The issues span from March 2023 to the present, with claims of non-residents on voter rolls and discrepancies in party registration.
2. Discrepancies Between Data Sources
• A significant point of concern was a communication from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes highlighting a system issue that may have incorrectly categorized party preferences.
• Gillette noted that different counties reported various numbers of changes, raising questions about the accuracy of voter registration records.
3. Identification of Problematic Registrations
• The packet contains case studies of individuals, including non-residents and deceased persons, who still appear on Arizona's voter rolls.
• Issues of registrations were linked to services like the Motor Vehicle Division and ServiceArizona, with concerns that third-party vendors may also be improperly involved in voter registrations.
4. Use of Federal Databases for Verification
• An example was shared of Mojave County using the SAVE database to review voter registrations with out-of-state addresses.
• Gillette indicated proactive measures taken by county officials to verify the eligibility of potentially questionable registrations.
5. Impact on Voting and Concerns About Violations
• Committee members questioned whether those found on the irregular rolls had voted; some investigated individuals claimed they were unaware of their voter registration.
• Gillette emphasized that he did not consider these irregularities as mere "glitches," asserting they violate federal law and suggesting fraudulent activities.
6. Plans for Criminal Referral
• Gillette announced plans to submit the findings to federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, citing numerous federal law violations regarding election integrity.
• He invited committee members to join the referral process, though not all agreed at the time.
The allegations presented by Representative Gillette highlight significant concerns regarding voter registration integrity in Arizona. His planned criminal referral indicates serious implications for state voting procedures, potentially prompting further investigations by federal authorities. The proposal to involve other lawmakers in the referral suggests an ongoing dialogue and concern over election integrity in the state.
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