Gaynor to Leg. Leaders: Let’s Fix Hobbs’ E-Qual Mess

Gaynor calls on legislative allies to investigate Hobbs, pressure her for a solution

PHOENIX – Steve Gaynor, Republican businessman and candidate for Arizona governor, today wrote to Senate President Karen Fann and Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers calling for an investigation of Katie Hobbs’ failure to ensure candidates have access to the ballot.

Fann and Bowers have been stalwart defenders of Arizona’s elections and important partners to Gaynor’s redistricting group, Fair Maps Arizona.

In the letter, Gaynor said that Hobbs, who once said, “the Secretary of State’s office is how we (Democrats) are going to make gains in the Legislature,” has allowed Arizona’s electronic ballot access system, E-Qual, to fail.

Gaynor also called for the legislature to investigate Hobbs’ E-Qual mess: “I’ve been speaking out about this issue since Hobbs initially admitted there was a problem with the system last month, and I will continue to do so. Now that the E-Qual system has collapsed, I believe it is essential for the Legislature to oversee and investigate this failure.”

Gaynor also thanked AG Mark Brnovich and the Arizona Senate Republicans for drawing attention to Hobbs’ failure on this issue in recent days.

For more background on this issue, see the following:
TOTAL COLLAPSE: HOBBS SHUTS DOWN CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION SYSTEM
HOBBS DIGS HERSELF IN DEEPER WITH UPDATED E-QUAL “GUIDANCE”
STATEMENT FROM STEVE GAYNOR ON SECRETARY HOBBS’ E-QUAL DEBACLE

Read the text of the letter below:

Hon. Karen Fann
Senate President
1700 W Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890

Hon. Russell Bowers
Speaker of the House
1700 W Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890

January 19, 2022

Dear Madam President and Mr. Speaker:

Thank you for all you have done to advance the cause of fair elections here in Arizona. Your leadership and assistance has been invaluable in our fight. I am writing to request an investigation into a serious problem Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and her office have created.

The legally mandated electronic system that candidates use to qualify for the ballot, called E-Qual, has collapsed due to the failure of Hobbs to anticipate the results of redistricting. This will make it harder for both Democrat and Republican candidates to run for office here in Arizona. Secretary Hobbs has damaged our election system by creating a roadblock to participation. I’ve been speaking out about this issue since Hobbs initially admitted there was a problem with the system last month, and I will continue to do so.

Before her election as Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs said: “The Secretary of State’s office is how we (Democrats) are going to make gains in the Legislature,” indicating that she would use the office for partisan political purposes. The integrity of her office has therefore been compromised from the day she took office. Now that the E-Qual system has collapsed, I believe it is essential for the Legislature to oversee and investigate this failure.

I also would like to thank Attorney General Mark Brnovich and the Arizona Senate Republicans for drawing attention to Hobbs’ failure. We must keep the pressure up to protect our elections.

Despite Hobbs’ protestations, I believe a solution exists that would fix Hobbs’ mess and allow the E-Qual system to function for candidates despite the redrawing of our legislative and congressional maps. I would like to partner with you on fixing the problem. Now more than ever, we need to make sure our election systems function properly.

Regards,

Steve Gaynor