Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly has once again been forced to explain an error made by her staff as voters head to the polls.
According to the Recorder’s Office, “On Thursday, July 17th, the Pima County Recorder’s Office sent a data file to the City of Tucson that contained updates to voter records for the August 5, 2025, City of Tucson Primary Election. That file contained incorrect party ballot assignments for 1,294 voters in City of Tucson Wards 3, 5, and 6. This resulted in 358 voters receiving the wrong ballot. 936 voters received the correct ballot, despite the error.”
The Recorder’s Office was not aware of the problem until Friday, July 25th, when voters called to complain that they had received the wrong ballot.
The Recorder’s Office claims: “The error was a result of a need for Recorder’s Office staff to override a mechanism in the data system that prevents party changes during an active election. The override was necessary because of the overlap of three elections: the Congressional District 7 Special Primary, the City of Tucson Primary and the City of South Tucson Special Recall. Many of the records in the supplemental file represented changes that voters made to their records but had to be withheld until the official closure of the CD7 Special Primary Election.”
Representatives Call For Investigation Into Pima County Recorder Handling Of 2024 General Election
Voters impacted by this error are still eligible to get a ballot at any Ballot Replacement Site now through Election Day and voters are encouraged to check the Pima County Recorder’s Voter Dashboard to confirm their voter registration information, according to the Recorder’s Office.
The Recorder’s Office says that voters who have already submitted a ballot and who vote at a replacement site may request a provisional ballot.
The Secretary of State’s Office and local officials have been made aware of the situation.
Critics say Cázares-Kelly is “clearly in over her head and unable to handle the job.”
In December 2024, two Arizona state lawmakers called for an investigation into Cazares-Kelly’s handling of the 2024 General Election.
The lawmakers sent a letter to Attorney General Kris Mayes requesting an immediate investigation following reports of what they say are “significant and highly concerning issues” involving the Pima County Recorder’s actions leading up to and during the 2024 General Election.
The lawmakers cited several issues in their letter, including:
- Shutting Down of Early Ballot Request Portal: The Pima County Recorder’s Office disabled its online ballot request system six days before the legal deadline, affecting nearly 4,000 voters. The decision has raised concerns about compliance with Arizona election laws and potential voter disenfranchisement.
- Inmate Voter Registration Program: Allegations of inadequate safeguards in the Recorder’s voter registration program for inmates have prompted questions about whether ineligible individuals may have been allowed to vote. Previous inquiries into this matter, including a letter sent by Representatives Rachel Jones and Cory McGarr on June 5, 2024, went unanswered.
- Handling of Undeliverable and Returned Ballots: Concerns about how undeliverable ballots were processed, stored, and tracked have also been raised. A follow-up letter sent by Representatives Jones and McGarr on October 24, 2024, to clarify compliance with Arizona law likewise received no response.
Currently, the City of Tucson is mailing an official letter to impacted voters in this cycle.
The Pima County Recorder’s Office says it “will be contacting the 358 impacted voters, using phone numbers and email addresses listed in their voting records. Only voters who received an incorrect ballot will be contacted by the Recorder’s Office. Voters who were registered as OTH are voters who would have not otherwise automatically received a ballot unless they had requested a partisan ballot. Voters who received a ballot they were not expecting should call the City of Tucson for further guidance. Voters are encouraged to view their records via the Voter Dashboard on the Pima County Recorder’s Office website. Voters log in to view their individual voting record, their mail ballot status and a list of eligible elections. Questions about voting locations, times and requirements should be directed to the City of Tucson (520) 791-3221.”
One political observer said that the entire situation “was just about the most Pima County Elections thing ever, right? I mean which is more Pima? That 358 voters got the wrong ballot thanks to an error? Or that 936 voters got the right ballot in spite of that same error?”
If one lives in PimaCo, and you’re half-way decent, employed, law-abiding, raising your kids right, paying your bills, maybe trying to keep a business going where others depend upon you as well, or some clueless Midwestern or Northeastern white Geezer retiree….EVERYONE IS TREATED THERE AS A “PLUCKEE”…to be FLEECED, by the ongoing DEI conspiracy that masquerades as local govt. With the active connivance of incredibly weak & craven local civic leadership, (a gynocracy of rich-lib Karens), a bloated, morbidly obese University full of non-technical and highly sinecured academics & educrats, their fawning toadies in the local media (nobody EVER calls bullsh*t)…. sorry I could go on. But the AZ Legislature NEEDS TO DEFUND TUCSON, AND BUILD A BYPASS AROUND IT.
DEI hires. Go figure.
Voters are receiving what they were voting for.
It certainly isn’t surprising. Being elected in Tucson and Pima County is like DEI hiring. Tucson is a cesspool.
more like a clustercopulation in my opinion.. dei ain’t never gonn git it wright- toss it ALL OUT and start over.. what’s to lose – GIT RID OF THEM NOW – YOU ARE FIRED – Start the election over again.
Incompetent, stupid, or willful? Maybe all three?
And kids, nothing will happen, and the democrats will continue on their merry way to find new ways to cheat on elections. Southern AZ has become the strong blue part of the state with the rest to follow very shortly. AZ, you want to see your future, look no farther than your neighbors, LA, Portland, Seattle. You are next…..keep voting for these idiots and you will soon be there.
Pictured with Stephen Richer. Two of the worst county recorders in county recorder history.
Agreed, maybe they are working together.
AZ elections are embarrassing to watch.
The only one here to blame for the incompetence of the county. Recorder are he residents of Pima County who continually elect Democrats onto office then cry about how bad things are and how bad the government is. This is their fault.
She should be commended for demonstrating the fraud that is vote by mail and the need for day of voting.
If you want to vote at home you sign an affidavit stating who you are and you receive an absentee ballot. Otherwise on Election Day, you show up at the polls, show your precinct ID, and if you’re on the list of eligible voters you vote. Not on the list? You’re ineligible to vote today.
Means nothing and it won’t matter! She will not face any accountability or consequences because it’s the same ole s__t story in Pima Co! What a joke is the City and County Government!
BTW…this is more cover for when LaGorda slides into her dad’s former seat!!
Nailed it Scott. My prediction is that AZ will be totally blue by 2028.
I think RED sir… even the Gorda lovers and getting tired of the BS!
I will believe it when I see it Bill. I think that the only part of AZ that will be red is north of Maricopa county…..South of Maricopa will be bright blue……Thanks to all the transplants from California.