Voting in Arizona in 2022
The citizen is sovereign, and your vote demonstrates that power
Below are my election choices in Arizona when I vote on November 8, 2022. Though early voting begins tomorrow in Arizona, on October 12, 2022, I think it utterly foolish to commit my vote even ten seconds early. Too much can happen in the next few weeks. As a citizen it is my responsibility to make these choices with the most information possible, and voting early for no reason but convenience is a dereliction of duty.
Nonetheless, many Arizonians will be voting early by mail — which has been somewhat customary here for more than a decade — so I am posting my preferences now, including my reasoning, to give my readers some help in making their decisions.
Though I am not partisan, and have always distrusted Republicans as much as Democrats, this year my choices are very partisan. The Democratic Party has become very very corrupt. The best thing Americans can do to clean up that party is to throw out as many of its elected officials as possible. At that point the party will be faced with a stark choice: shift gears, change leadership, or die (allowing a new party to replace it). With any of these options, the voters would be provided with a new choice in future elections, coming from a different direction.
I am also making recommendations in connection with statewide and local propositions, several of which are hidden mines designed to eliminate what little election security we presently have. Voters must know this.
Thus, my choices:
State-wide elections
- U.S. Senate: Blake Masters, without question.
Masters is conservative, intelligent, and forthright. You might not agree with him on everything, but his willingness to clearly state what he believes in makes him much more likely to follow through once elected.
The present senator, Democrat Mark Kelly, has been a non-entity who simply rubber-stamps every radical policy that the modern bankrupt Democratic Party advocates. He must go. This clip from the debate between these candidates nicely sums things up.
Above all, electing Masters will help take control of Congress from that corrupt Democratic Party while also blocking the bankrupt policies of Joe Biden and the administration state that controls him like a puppet.
- Governor: Kari Lake, Republican, without question.
Not only has Lake shown herself to be a courageous, outspoken candidate with a clear, intelligent grasp of the state’s biggest problems, her opponent, Democrat Katie Hobbs, has been Arizona’s secretary of state and thus in charge of the election system that produced the last few very questionable elections.
To compare these candidates, watch Kari Lake here and here, then watch the clips of Katie Hobbs here. The difference is startling. Hobbs’ inability to express any thought coherently is reminiscent of Kamala Harris.
Note also that Hobbs was successfully sued for allowing racial discrimination in her office when she was the Democratic Party leader in the state senate. Like most modern Democrats, she makes believe she believes in equal rights, but is instead really focused on identity politics and judging people by the color of their skin.
Results of election audit in Maricopa County
- Secretary of State: Mark Finchem, without question.
After the 2020 election, Finchem took the lead in pushing for the election audit and several investigations prompted by the questionable results in Arizona. As secretary of state it will be his job to supervisor Arizona’s election process, and his goal is to make sure the system is cleaned up. Watch the clip of a Finchem interview at this link to get a good idea of his even-handed and thoughtful approach.
The graph on the right shows the results from the Finchem-supported audit of the votes in Maricopa County (which covers Phoenix). Note the many many problems highlighted in yellow. These issues need to be resolved, and the present secretary of state, Katie Hobbs, has refused to do so. Finchem’s focus on election reform suggests he will also take on the stone-walling election officials in Maricopa and get things fixed.
- State Attorney General: Abraham Hamadeh, without question
Hamadeh is not a professional politician. He is a former prosecutor as well as a former Army intelligence officer who has been very clear about the failure of the attorney general’s office (presently run by a do-nothing Republican) to enforce the law properly. Thus, his background qualifies him for this job perfectly.
- State Treasurer: Kimberly Yee
She is the Republican incumbent, and thus is guaranteed to be a better choice than the Democrat. Her history as a long-time member of the establishment is the reason I am less enthused about her.
- Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tom Horne, without question
Horne has been outspoken in his opposition to the introduction of critical race theory in the schools. Expect him to push hard against the leftist agenda being pushed by most educators and administrators. He will have a hard fight. His election however would be a major step up, considering his opponent, the incumbent Democrat Kathy Hoffman, has helped introduce critical race theory and the queer agenda into Arizona’s schools.
- Corporation commissioners (vote for two): Nicholas Myers and Kevin Thompson, without question
The Corporation Commission is the board that regulates the state’s electric utilities. Both Myers and Thompson are Republicans and appear to be business-oriented. Their focus will be to make sure Arizonians have power, and at an affordable rate.
Of their Democratic Party opponents, one wants to push solar power, while the other is focused on climate change and the environment. Based on their own positions, it seems they want to turn Arizona into California when it comes to electricity, with frequent blackouts and brownouts and high electric bills. Ugh.
- State mine inspector: Paul Marsh
As Republican Marsh is the only candidate, the choice is easy. That the Democrats couldn’t even find a qualified candidate for this position that regulates mines — one of Arizona’s biggest industries — suggests their professed love of the environment is as shallow as damp sidewalk.
Local elections:
These apply to my specific district, so they of course will only apply to a few of my readers. Nonetheless, I make them public, as they indicate again my overall approach:
- Federal House of Representatives: Juan Ciscomani, without question
Ciscomani’s campaign has been uninspired, following the standard approaches and imagery normally pushed by establishment Washington political consultants. Nonetheless, he is a Republican, and even if he ends up to be an establishment Republican congressman, that will be far better than the leftist the Democrats are running.
And once again, his election will help keep Congress out of the control of today’s corrupt Democratic Party.
- State Senator: Thomas Shope, without question
- State Representatives (vote for two): Teresa Martinez and Rob Hudelson, without question.
In all three cases, my goal in picking these Republican candidates is to keep Democrats out of office. We need to force a major house-cleaning of the Democratic Party, and the more losses it experiences at all levels of government this year can only help bring that house-cleaning about.
- Bond issue for Marana Unified School District #6
From the pamphlet describing the bond issue:
Of the $90 million bond total, $40 million would pay for new school construction, $29.8 million would be spent on campus improvements and renovations for existing schools, $10.9 million would be spent on technology and security upgrades, and $9.4 million for student transportation.
Considering that attendance at public schools has been dropping, and thus the need for new construction will be less, it seems foolish to approve this expensive borrowing at this time. Moreover, government management across the board has been poor. There is enormous waste in the existing budget that could be used for much of this work, instead of borrowing more.
I vote no.
State Propositions:
Constitutional amendments:
- Proposition 128
At present the Arizona Constitution forbids legislators from overriding any referendums passed by the voters, even if the courts rule a referendum or any part of it is illegal. The bill would give the legislators the power to amend or supersede any part that the courts rule illegal.
There is logic to this amendment, as well as risks. I am of two minds. Right now I am leaning to vote no, but may change my mind in the next few weeks.
- Proposition 129
Like 128, this proposition would place restrictions on voter initiatives or referendums by requiring them to match the same limits imposed on legislative bills. Each measure must embrace only one subject and that the title of the measure must describe the measure accurately.
I vote yes. This proposition would prevent initiatives with cool-sounding names that often act to do the exact opposite, once passed (think “Patriot Act” and “Inflation Reduction Act”). It would also require voter initiatives to be careful and reasonable.
- Proposition 130
The goal here is to remove some of the limits placed on the legislature for awarding exemptions to property tax for some classes (such as veterans and their widows). Based on a review of the law, I am leaning towards voting yes, though I might change my mind.
- Proposition 131
The proposition creates a position of lieutenant governor who would be picked by the candidate for governor and run as a joint candidate, much like the president and vice president do in national elections. The lieutenant governor would then replace the governor should he or she die or can no longer serve. Right now the law has the secretary of state take over, who could be from another party.
I vote yes, without reservations.
- Proposition 132
Under this proposition, future voter initiatives that propose a new tax must pass by 60% majority.
I vote yes, without reservations. Many of the voter tax initiatives in this state are written and promoted by school unions that want more money for themselves. They dress the initiative as “more money for schools” when it really is more money for them. (See the Marana bond issue above). It should be harder for them to do this.
Citizen initiatives:
- Proposition 209
Based on who endorses this proposition, it appears to be a boondoggle to funnel government money to the healthcare industry and unions. As noted by the very conservative free-enterprise Goldwater Institute, this measure “is funded almost exclusively by California unions [and] will limit the ability of Arizona residents to obtain credit and dramatically increase our interest rates.”
I vote no, without reservations.
- Proposition 210
This proposition is presently under review by the courts, and might be ruled illegal even if it passes. However, as it is written to override recent election reforms passed by the state legislature that were designed to prevent vote tampering and election fraud, the voters should reject it with great enthusiasm, making it unnecessary for the court to do the same.
I vote no, without reservations.
- Proposition 211
This proposition has similar goals to 210, designed in this case to change the election laws to make it easier to identify and attack anyone who donates to election campaigns.
I vote no, without reservations.
Legislative referrals of new proposed laws:
- Proposition 308
This initiative is designed to repeal legislation that forbids tuition subsidies to illegal immigrants. It also appears to give illegal immigrants a benefit not given to legal citizens.
I vote no, without reservations.
- Proposition 309
This proposition will tighten significantly the system of voting by mail. It will require such voters provide strong IDs to make their vote valid.
I vote yes, without reservations.
- Proposition 310
Basically, this proposition would increase the state’s sales tax in order to funnel money to fire departments.
I vote no, without reservations. The state can easily find money for these purposes, out of its present budget. What it needs to do is to better prioritize its spending, eliminating programs that accomplish nothing so that it can increase the budgets of more important agencies.
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So fortunate to vote in AZ. I am in WA, 100% mail in, 100% counted by the dems. Probably one of the most rigged election in the world.
Seen a bit of Kari Lake on the tube.
I hope this is just a first step for her.
I like her style.
One step that would make it easier for the public to vote (something congress critters don’t want), would be to make election day a national holiday.
Joe: The Constitution is very clear on who is responsible for setting the rules of elections. This job belongs to the state legislatures, not Congress. Even if Congress passed such a law, it is likely unconstitutional.
Moreover, the last thing we should want is for Congress to get involved. It is much better that these decisions are left to the states, who are closer to the issue and more likely to be influenced by the concerns of local voters.
RZ,
“…concerns of local voters…”
I no longer have confidence that the ‘election system’ cares what I think.”
Without the ability to audit individual votes to determine if they are not altered, I have no reason to believe that my cast vote hasn’t been changed before the count.
I’m concerned.
Prove me wrong.
I’ll save you the effort. You can’t.
Until I can audit the unchanged nature of my personal vote, I can’t trust any of you.
“Concerns” you know.
Actually embrace actual audits, help get them enacted, or you’re all just spectators.
Robert,
I see we have been reapportioned (gerrymandered?) into to same Congressional district.
I had the opportunity to observe Juan Ciscomani during the Republican primary debate. He handled himself well and was well versed in AZ and national issues. He was head and shoulders above the other four candidates and at one point calmly and decisively parried what appeared to me to be a coordinated effort between two of the candidates to put him in a “gotcha” situation. When I mentioned to him during the break what I had seen, he played it down. Admirable.
GaryMike, how do you audit at the level you advocate, without adding identification features to the ballot that compromise ballot secrecy and let the Powers That Be know whom they should focus their “concern” at?
Good advice.
Note that nationally, if there’s a libertarian-spoiler in the mix, do the right thing and vote R.
We are morally obliged to choose the lesser evil.
Jestor N,
“…how do you audit at the level you advocate, without adding identification features to the ballot that compromise ballot secrecy …”
Ballot secrecy? Anyone who sees who I voted for doesn’t need to know who I am. They only need to change my vote.
I’m willing to identify in exchange for the ability to contest my changed vote. Once in the legal syst6em I’d have to identify anyway.
“…let the Powers That Be know whom they should focus their “concern” at…”
I don’t do much social media for that reason.
In a court of law, in front of a jury, or the Supreme Court, I can argue that government has no right to know for whom I voted.
A strong legal argument intended to mitigate vote changing from the shadows..
Thanks for this rundown. Some recommendations were no-brainers, but I worry about Masters/Kelly. In Pima county, I have not seen a single Masters ad except those sponsored by Kelly.
I especially appreciate the info on the propositions.
Oldav8r: Feel free to pass my recommendations to as many as possible.
NEW YORK CITY TRENDING TO RACIST AUTHORITARIANISM (Please copy and share)
I just received my 2022 “NYC Voters Guide”.
Four Ballot Proposals in NYC To Be Voted On November – THE CITY
There are 4 Ballot Proposals in the 2022 NYC election, 3 of which are an automatic “NO” for me. And number 4 will be an automatic no for me because it too is a “feel good” perversion.
PS: I will not be voting for ANY candidate with a *D* next to their name because most all political candidates with that designation live if fear of the “Woke”, “Progressive”, radical Left and they are owned by them, from the governor on down.
* Ballot Proposal #1: Clean water, Clean air, And Green jobs environmental bond act of 2022.
This would authorize the state to create a bond in the amount of $4.2 BILLION dollars.
And right away when I see the term “Green Jobs” and Billions of dollar$ to be paid by the taxpayer to finance it all, I am a big *NO* on that one! It is a lie. Ultimately proposals like this are just one more radical, “Woke”, “Progressive”, Leftist opportunity to redistribute money from the taxpayer into the coffers of the Democrat party machine and their cronies. How do you finance the Democrat party machine over the long term? Create a cash flow model from the taxpayer directly to them by law.
* Ballot Prospal #2: Add a statement of values to guide government. (Noe: The entity government is bereft of either values or morality. It does not and cannot exist, this is a feel-good perverted fraud)
This proposal would introduce wording into the preamble of the New York City Charter that would promote “Justice” and “Equity”. All radical, “Woke”, “Progressive”, Leftist terminology that promotes subjective legally codified racism and hatred in the city government. I am a big *NO* on that one.
*Ballot Proposal #3: Establish a racial “Equity” office, plan, and commission.
This is one more radical, “Woke”, “Progressive”, Leftist opportunity for the Democrat controlled city council to subjectively based on race and “Equity” to use perceived racism and hatred to promote racism and hatred through law. Once again, I am a big *NO* on that one.
You like insane “No bail no jail” policy that has made our city sooo dangerous? I did not think so.
It is all up to you to reject the insanity we all see before us. You are a Democrat in NYC? You kneejerk vote Democrat? Not this year.
https://apis.mail.aol.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-_95qz8vtNQnj2guvJpSi615JXjYizy9bcZuM2MCqJDk8zBIwKj0CmLH_qmCDE5NsTJVJXmOu9vG5vVhaOWavzw/messages/@.id==AJf5ZUg87RgnY0bw9gtl-ONyYtE/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appid=AolMailNorrin&downloadWhenThumbnailFails=true&pid=2
Further reasons for Kari Lake over Kate Hobbs reported by Project Veritas:
https://www.projectveritasaction.com/news/seen-but-not-heard-i-dont-want-to-talk-politics-to-anyone-who-i-dont-know/
GaryMike,
An avenue for citizen auditing, perhaps:
https://blackboxvoting.org/ballot-images/
Note the date of the article.
To my knowledge, this process remains valid in most jurisdictions. However, during the fallout from the 2020 election many election offices required substantial amounts of money to receive the data, and delayed release for ridiculous periods of time.
Related: Tulsi’s brilliant political power move:
Tulsi Gabbard overtakes Mike Pence as the third favorite candidate to win Republican 2024 presidential nomination – less than 48 hours after she quit the Democrats
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11312153/Gabbard-OVERTAKES-Pence-favorite-win-2024-GOP-nomination.html
She has set herself apart from the run of the mill now very desperate, flunky Democrat machine candidates.
Its going to be glorious.
What does the Constitution force over time?
For all political players to reveal themselves to the public so they can choose. Talk about brilliant!
Interestingly, Dave Smith has endorsed Master’s over the libertarian candidate, in Arizona.
He spends a lengthy amount of time on this, in his current episode.
Part of the Problem #917
(October 11, 2022)
https://youtu.be/aTPqPv9IopE
1:02:40
Vote-by-mail, ballot security, ballot secrecy. Pick two.
To have security in a vote by mail scheme, each ballot has to be linked to a voter, so that an audit consists of taking the ballot back to the voter and asking, “Is this how you voted?” This destroys ballot secrecy.
If you have ballot secrecy and vote by mail, there is no chain of custody trail to audit, and no way to determine if any given ballot was voted by any given person. IOW, invalid ballots can easily enter the system which is the definition of ballot stuffing. CO, WA, and OR are more likely than not to have elections decided by cheating.
I bailed out of OR last year, and moved to high elevation AZ. Robert, I’m going to take your recommendations, but I noticed that you had nothing to say about Judicial retention issues. Unusually, there appeares to be some controversy over Montgomery. The ALCU has an issue with him. 20 years ago, this might have been something I’d care about, but today, that may be a plus. I haven’t been here long enough to know , so I’ll ask your opinion. Yea or nay?
buddhaha: I did not delve into the judicial retention subject for several reasons. 1) In the past we would receive a printed pamphlet outlining information about each judge, including evaluations by lawyers, clients, and others. This year we did not receive this, so I was at a loss to even begin the research. 2) Because we received mailed pamphlets about all the other items on the ballot, I assumed all was covered. Thus, I didn’t even know the judicial retention choices were going to be on the ballot until I got my sample ballot last week. I then decided I just did not have the time to go into it, and would likely abstain entirely on this part of the ballot.
Personally, the retention vote has always struck me as a dishonest game. Just because a judge got bad evaluations does not mean that judge is bad. It could be that the judge was actually honest, would not play the game, and was thus ganged up on by the rest of the legal establishment.
Or not. Without being in a position to observe all the judges in operation, or have the educated recommendations of someone who has (and whom I trust), these votes are really nothing more than a guess. So not voting hardly makes a difference.
If however you or someone can provide a good slate of endorsements or rejections, from a reliable source, I would be glad to review it and post it here.
Thank you. I have no information that would be of use, other than what was in the ” Arizona 2022 General Election Publicity Pamphlet” dated 11/08/22. This had all of the arguments for and against the Propositions along with their text. Pages 16 through 46 had the judge info. Montgomery had 2 “does not meet” ratings from the Judicial Performance Commission, which I assume derives from the 67% “Judicial Temperament” rating from Attorneys. Seems he rubs some people the wrong way. My ambivalence is because there are some people deserve to be rubbed against the grain. I just don’t know if those are the ones who don’t like him.
I guess I’ll abstain. Not that it’ll make a difference. :-)
buddhaha: As I said, this is a game that can be played both ways. Unless I can get some good reporting from someone who covers the courts regularly, I fear any vote I make on these judges will be a mistake.