In an interview with the Arizona Daily Star, Andy Tobin misled Arizonans on his record on voting rights by falsely claiming that he has fought for Arizonans’ right to vote. In reality, Tobin has made voting harder in Arizona by supporting legislation that attempts to suppress the vote.
FALSE Tobin Claim: “I’ve stood there… to fight for our [voting] rights in the legislature for many years[.]” [Arizona Daily StarYouTube page, 10/01/14]
FACT: Tobin Voted in Favor of Making Sweeping Changes to Early Voting. In June 2013, Tobin voted in favor of House Bill 2305, which would make sweeping changes to Arizona’s early voting system and initiative and recall petition process. In April 2013, a 43-page amendment was added to the bill to include essential portions of four other election reform bills that had been stalled in the Legislature. The bills were Senate Bills 1003, 1261 and 1264, and House Bill 2527. The bill passed 33 to 26 with one not voting. [Arizona Capitol Times, 4/24/13; HB2305, 51st Legislature 1st Regular Session, 6/13/13]
SB 1003 would Make it a Felony for Volunteer Groups to Turn in Early Voting Ballots. Senate Bill 1003, sponsored by Sen. Michele Reagan, would make it a class 6 felony for any volunteer with any group to deliver an early ballot from a voter to elections officials. [Arizona Capitol Times, 3/21/13]
SB 1261 would Remove Voters from Permanent Early Voting List. Senate Bill 1261, sponsored by Sen. Michele Reagan, would allow county recorders to drop from the Permanent Early Voting List voters who didn’t use their early ballot in both the primary election and the general election for the two most recent elections for federal office. [Arizona Capitol Times, 3/21/13]
Bill would Increase Legal Standards on Voter-Sponsored Initiatives. In June 2013, HB 2305 would impose higher legal standards on voter-sponsored initiatives, making it easier to throw them off the ballot if they do not strictly comply with each and every provision of the law. [Legal Monitor Worldwide, 6/17/13]
FACT: Tobin Supported Reducing Number of Provisional Ballots. In November 2012, Tobin said he would support reducing the number of provisional ballots cast. “We need to count these ballots sooner, and if members believe that it’s that important and it’s a priority… I’m wide open to discussing an appropriation.” Tobin said. [Arizona Capitol Times, 11/26/12]