|
An investigation is underway, and we should let the facts come in before drawing conclusions.
I have asked for more information regarding the policies that govern removing equipment from county facilities, the approval process for doing so, and how those rules apply to the Recorder’s Office.
Here is what we know: the scanner was returned quickly, all equipment was accounted for, and no votes or ballots were affected. Good people in both the Recorder’s Office and Elections Department are committed to secure elections, and our systems worked to ensure accountability.
At this point, I’m not interested in assigning blame. I want to understand what happened, whether existing policies were followed, and whether those policies provide sufficient clarity going forward.
This is not about winning a political argument. It is about accountability, transparency, and maintaining public confidence in how election equipment is handled.
The incident highlights the need for clear written procedures for moving, tracking, and transferring equipment in shared facilities like MCTEC. Complex operations will always have occasional process gaps. Strong governance is measured by identifying process gaps and how quickly we close them.
My focus is practical. Staff in both offices need clear direction, solid safeguards, and proper documentation. I’m committed to working with the Recorder’s Office and Elections staff to put those procedures in place quickly. Let’s get the right people in a room, sort out clear roles and ownership, and lock in common-sense protocols everyone can follow.
Voters deserve secure and transparent elections. The professionals who administer them deserve clear rules so they can do their jobs effectively.
This is an opportunity to strengthen our processes and move forward together, not another reason to stay stuck in conflict.
###
Contact:
Kristy Dohnel
kristy.dohnel@maricopa.gov
|
