PHOENIX – On Wednesday, the Arizona State Senate handed election integrity advocates a victory when it passed HB 2569, Rep. Jake Hoffman’s legislation that prohibits the state or other government entities from expending or receiving private monies to conduct elections.
The vote against the interference by deep-pocketed Tech giants in local election operations fell along party lines, with Republicans supporting the bill and all Democrats voting against it.
The House of Representatives previously approved HB 2569 on March 3. It will now be sent to Governor Ducey for his signature.
“Nearly half a billion dollars in private funding was spent by out of state Democrat billionaires to influence the administration of county and state elections operations nationally, including millions here in Arizona,” said Representative Hoffman. “The Arizona legislature doesn’t want billionaires from any Party, or of any kind, attempting to influence our election system.”
“HB 2569 is common sense legislation that will ensure Arizona’s elections are free from outside influence and that our voters can have confidence in the integrity of the process. The passage of this bill is a win for Arizona and a win for America, as I fully expect other states to follow suit in prohibiting this deeply troubling new Democrat tactic,” Hoffman added.
“Even the appearance of impropriety in elections is dangerous,” said Arizona Free Enterprise Club President Scot Mussi. “Elections should be funded, directed, and guided by state governments, not private organizations and especially not Big Tech. The Club commends the Senate for passing HB2569 and urges Governor Ducey to sign this important bill to protect the integrity of our elections.”
“The radical left want to take control of local elections and prevent states, counties, and cities from running elections, while forcing federal funding for the campaigns of politicians,” said Congressman Andy Biggs. “These crazy ideas will have a long-lasting negative impact on the integrity of our elections, and we need to fight to uphold the sanctity of our electoral process.”
“These changes are important to take bias out of elections. Election offices should be impartial, and not agents for Silicon Valley billionaires. This legislation will restore fairness to Arizona elections,” said J. Christian Adams, President, Public Interest Legal Foundation.