Oppose HB2022: Primary Date Change and Partisan Observer Expansion

I urge you to oppose HB2022 when it comes before the House Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections Committee on Wednesday. This bill would move Arizona's primary election from the first Tuesday in August to the last Tuesday in July and expand partisan observer authority at polling locations, creating unnecessary burdens on our election system. Governor Hobbs vetoed similar legislation last year, noting it would strain county resources that already struggle with recruiting poll workers. Moving the primary earlier by just one week provides no meaningful benefit to voters while compressing the timeline for counties to prepare. Election officials need adequate time to secure locations, train workers, and ensure equipment is properly tested and deployed. This arbitrary change would make an already challenging job harder without improving election outcomes. The provision allowing county party chairs to designate partisan observers as challengers is particularly concerning. Arizona already has robust election observation procedures that balance transparency with the need to conduct elections efficiently. Expanding challenger authority invites disruption at polling places and could intimidate voters, especially in communities that have historically faced barriers to voting. Poll workers should focus on helping voters cast their ballots, not managing increased partisan interference. Representative Kolodin, the bill's sponsor, was placed on probation by the State Bar of Arizona for filing lawsuits challenging the 2020 election without evidence. This context matters when evaluating legislation that fundamentally alters election procedures. Our election laws should be shaped by officials committed to evidence-based policymaking, not those promoting unfounded conspiracy theories. Arizona's elections are secure and well-administered. This bill solves no actual problem while creating real operational challenges for county election officials. I ask you to vote no on HB2022 and protect the integrity of our current election processes that serve Arizona voters effectively.