A conservative organization has informed Arizona officials of its intention to monitor ballot drop boxes during the upcoming November election. The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) expressed its desire to identify individuals it believes are voting illegally. This announcement has raised concerns due to past incidents of right-wing groups monitoring drop boxes without evidence of widespread electoral fraud.
CPAC sent a letter to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes on August 15, seeking to discuss guidelines for monitoring drop boxes with Democratic officials. During the 2022 midterm election, reports emerged of individuals, some armed, monitoring drop boxes in Maricopa and Yavapai counties. Following concerns of voter intimidation, a federal judge ordered these individuals to maintain a distance from voters.
The recent letter from CPAC was met with skepticism by the offices of Mayes and Fontes, who highlighted the organization's role in fueling doubts about the integrity of U.S. elections. Fontes' spokesperson emphasized the need for CPAC to acknowledge its part in the issue before offering assistance.
Mayes expressed willingness to collaborate with CPAC under the condition that the organization recognizes the fairness of Arizona's election processes. She explicitly stated her opposition to using open-source information to identify voters, a method CPAC had considered.
CPAC's chairman and vice chairman outlined their intention to address right-leaning voters' skepticism about elections, particularly heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. They proposed guidelines for monitoring drop boxes, including ensuring they are on public property, establishing a 75-foot limit for monitors, and prohibiting the display of weapons or attire suggesting affiliation with law enforcement, military, candidates, or political parties.
