Tucson – On Wednesday, Pima County Elections officials contacted William Bear, Chair of the Pima County Republian Party requesting that they pass on conducting a hand count audit of the 2016 Presidential Preference Election due to the fact that it would interfere with the Easter holiday.
The bizarre request by Pima County Elections Department head Brad Nelson was rejected by Beard, who has fought for verfiable elections – including hand count audits. Beard responded, “As chairman of the Pima County Republican Party I take the constitutional responsibility for over site of elections in Arizona very seriously. The Pima County Republican Party will have the adequate number of people to complete the Presidential Preference Election Hand Count at the appropriately legal time and place.”
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Beard asserted: The Election Laws in the state of Arizona are very clear. The public, acting through the political parties has the direct responsibility for over site of elections. The principle of Checks and Balances is not something any citizen can allow to be casually discarded. The Pima County Republican Party stands foursquare behind those principles and will not allow government officials to overlook their responsibilities.
Questionable practices by the County in recent elections has drawn scrutiny. In the 2015 Pima County Bond Election, Beard fought for and secured the right to audit the election results.
On Jan 20, 2016 9:26 AM, Brad Nelson wrote:
Chairs Holt and Beard – As you may recall the 2016 Presidential Preference Election (PPE) will be conducted on March 22. The PPE is subject to a hand count audit if the major parties participate in the audit.
The hand count audit for the 2016 PPE will unfortunately occur during Easter weekend (the hand count will be conducted on March 26 – Easter is March 27).
I would respectfully ask that you both consider not having your party participate in the hand count audit so that the holiday weekend is not impacted.
It’s your call and whatever you decide, my office will be ready to accommodate that decision.
Best Regards,
Brad R. Nelson, Director
Pima County Elections
Tucson AZ
520.724.6830