AZ Secy. of State Vows Midterms Will Happen ‘Come Hell or High Water’

Arizona Secretary of State Vows Midterm Elections Will Proceed Despite Legal Battles

PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has issued a strong declaration that the state’s midterm elections in 2026 will proceed without fail, vowing they will happen “come hell or high water.” Fontes made these remarks amidst ongoing legal challenges and scrutiny surrounding election processes, particularly concerning voter data and the widely used mail-in ballot system.

Legal Battles Over Voter Data Intensify

Secretary Fontes is currently engaged in a legal fight with entities seeking access to sensitive voter information. He stated, “They’re suing me because I wouldn’t give them the voter rolls that they are asking for in violation of not just state law, but the Privacy Act of 1974.” Fontes emphasized his commitment to protecting personally identifiable information, such as driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers, from what he describes as an “overreaching Department of Justice.”

The controversy also involves subpoenas related to data from the “cyber ninja data from that crazy fraud thing that they had going here in Arizona five or six years ago.” Fontes expressed concern that the Department of Justice might be using a criminal grand jury to circumvent ongoing litigation and obtain this sensitive information, potentially exploiting outdated or inaccurate data due to issues with record-keeping, such as those with the motor vehicle department.

“This whole thing stinks to high heaven, but we are going to continue to fight, get to the bottom of it. But I want Arizona voters to understand. We don’t know if you’re personal identifying THAT THE CREDIFYING INFORMATION HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS. THIS IS ONE OF THE KEY PIECES OF INFORMATION WE’RE TRYING TO FIND OUT BECAUSE I’M GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT THAT AS LONG AS I’M THE SECRETARY OF STATE.”

Fontes highlighted that this is not an isolated issue, noting that the Department of Justice has faced similar legal setbacks in other states, including Republican-led states like West Virginia and Utah, in their attempts to acquire such data. He characterized the fight as a bipartisan effort by secretaries of state against federal overreach.

Defense of Mail-In Voting System

A significant portion of Fontes’s concerns revolves around what he terms a “full frontal assault” on Arizona’s popular mail-in voting system. He pointed out that this method, originally established by Republicans, has been widely embraced by Arizonans across the political spectrum until a particular Republican candidate lost an election.

“What is going on right now is a full frontal assault against the single most popular voting method in Arizona by a long shot and that is ballot by mail voting created by Republicans, supported by Republicans until one particular Republican lost,” Fontes stated. He refuted claims that mail-in voting is problematic for Republicans, citing the party’s gains in the state House and Senate in 2024, an election where 81% of the vote was cast by mail and Donald Trump won the state’s electoral votes.

Fontes lauded the security and affordability of mail-in voting, noting that Arizona voters also have identification requirements at the polls and that every ballot is cast on paper. He cautioned that imposing similar systems on other states could cost tens of millions of dollars, lacking adequate funding. He also referenced a Brennan Center report indicating that up to 22 million Americans might be disenfranchised if the SAVE Act passes, with studies suggesting Republican women would be disproportionately affected.

Federal Government’s Role in Elections

Addressing concerns about potential federal government interference in elections, particularly regarding the possibility of the president deploying armed officers to polling sites or declaring emergencies, Fontes was resolute.

“The president can declare emergencies in a variety of different spaces, but not as to the administration of elections. That is a state duty. And so that is off the table, 100% off the table,” he asserted. Fontes drew parallels to historical periods of crisis, including the Civil War, World Wars, the Spanish Flu, and COVID-19, during which elections consistently proceeded thanks to the dedication of local election administrators and poll workers.

He praised the commitment of these individuals, who often go to great lengths to ensure elections are conducted smoothly. “We will not cancel our elections based on a bogus emergency order coming out of this White House. This is the true grit of American poll workers and county election officials across the United States of America,” Fontes declared.

Looking Ahead: The Fight for Election Integrity

Secretary Fontes’s firm stance underscores a broader national debate about election integrity, voter access, and the role of federal versus state authority in managing electoral processes. The ongoing legal battles and legislative proposals aimed at altering voting methods will likely continue to shape the electoral landscape leading up to the 2024 general election and beyond. Voters and election officials alike will be watching closely to see how these challenges are resolved and what impact they have on the fundamental right to vote in the United States.

Source: 'We will have midterm elections in 2026 come hell or high water': AZ Secy. of State (YouTube)