McCain’s Camp Ballot Harvesting Raises Questions

Going to chase down early ballots in a pencil skirt for @TeamMcCain! Remember to mail yours in #AZSen #12days pic.twitter.com/rk4xs4gLVM

— Alexandria (@alexandriamhigh) August 19, 2016

Questions are being raised about the tactics employed by Sen. John McCain after a tweet by a young female supporter announced her intention to go ballot harvesting for Senator McCain last week.

This year, the Arizona State Legislature outlawed the predatory practice. The law prohibits anyone in Arizona — except family members, household members and caregivers — from delivering another person’s ballot to a polling place or election site.

Arizona is now one of about 19 states to have outlawed ballot harvesting.

People across the country viewed the shocking video of a ballot harvester stuffing hundreds of ballots into an unattendend ballot box in 2015. Later, the ADI reported on videos that showed young teens, many who appeared to be not old enough to vote, being recruited to go door to door to collect ballots in the Arizona heat. Despite those images, only after compelling testimony about abuses before a House panel did the bill finally pass.

Flash forward to August 18 to this young TeamMcCain Supporter’s tweet: Going to chase down early ballots in a pencil skirt for @TeamMcCain! Remember to mail yours in #AZSen #12days

McCain, unable to fittingly relinquish power is, at age 80, arrogantly running for reelection to a sixth six-year US Senate term and fighting dirtier than ever to keep his seat. The elderly McCain’s deep pockets have allowed him to hire an army of young people to do the heavy lifting.

The new law, signed by Gov. Doug Ducey in March, provides no clear direction about enforcement, and county elections officials apparently have received no formal guidance from state, legislative or party leaders. A lawsuit challenging the statute is ongoing.

Young campaign workers in school uniforms make calls for the elderly senator [Photo from Twitter] — Young campaign workers in school uniforms make calls for the elderly senator, [Photo from Twitter]

Arizona Republican Party spokesman Tim Sifert said the lawyers’ association will operate a hotline on Election Day to take questions and reports from poll observers. But, many ask what’s to prevent the mailing of these ballots ahead of election day?

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, has said police would need to investigate a report before prosecutors take action after they receive a submittal from a law enforcement agency, meaning an alleged violation would have been investigated.

McCain’s strong armed tactics this year have made even the fiercest Party overseers from asking too many questions. With relentless vitriolic attacks on anyone who shows support for his opponent, McCain has done more harm than good for his chances at re-election.

McCain is facing a tough primary challenge by Dr. Kelli Ward. Ward has endured many bizarre attacks by McCain’s dark money groups yet her popularity has grown. As a result, if McCain’s group is now harvesting and culling ballots cast for his opponent, few would be surprised.

In August 2015, CASE (Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy) used youngsters to harvest ballots in Arizona heat.