Tag Archives: Election 2014

Election day expected to be full of thunder and lightning

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300px-to-polls-az2WILLIAMS – Election day in the northland is expected to be full of thunder and lightning. And that is just the weather. The weather forecast for tomorrow is 90% chance of heavy rain with thunder. Winds will be from the south at 7- to 13-mph with gusts as high as 21-mph.

This could aid the already dismal prediction by the office of the Secretary of State of a voter turnout of about 25%. The prediction is based on statistics showing that voter turnout has fallen within that range for non-presidential elections.

In Williams, voters will decide two issues with Proposition 402. The first is that John Moore, running for re-election as Mayor, and the three councilmen running be declared winners in the primary without having to run in the general election in November. They are running unopposed for the first time in recent memory.

The second item is to decide to adopt the Home Rule option which will allow Williams to use alternate expenditure limits. Under this rule the city will be able to spend $20,524,880 in 2015-2016, $20,868,492 in 2016-2017, $21,220,580 in 2017-2018, and $21,581,371 in 2018-2019 based on the current budget process through April 24, 2014. The expenditure limitations are estimates which might be raised or lowered depending on available revenue.

There will be no surprises in the LD-6 race since all candidates are running unopposed. While the late Chester Crandell is still on the ballot and will win the election, former Senator Sylvia Allen was recently chosen to replace him on the ballot in November. The only surprises might be if someone decides to file as a write-in for November.

All eyes are currently on the race to see who will represent the Republican party for governor in November. Polls show Doug Ducey and Scott Smith in the lead for the nomination in the primary. Ducey is endorsed by Sheriff Joe Arpio who also endorsed Janet Napalitano. Scott Smith is endorsed by the current governor.

The one candidate who actually seemed to have some encouraging plans for Arizona, however, is Frank Riggs. He is against Common Core in schools and amnesty by executive order. He was recently endorsed by rocker Ted Nuggent for his Second Amendment stance. He is also in favor of charter schools. He started and left an organization promoting and helping charter schools get started.

All of the candidates speak of securing the border with National Guard as the State of Texas recently did. This, however, must come out of the State budget.

The outcome for the Republican nomination for Congressional District 1 will also be interesting. Voters will decide if Gary Kiehne, Adam Kwasman or Andy Tobin will battle against Ann Kirkpatrick in November. This race is also said to be a dead heat.

The other races of interest are the two “embattled” Republican John Huppenthal and Tom Horne. Both ran into scandals earlier this year and while the Republicans clamored to have Tom Horne step down, very few went after John Huppenthal if media reports are to be believed.

Despite the pleas, Tom Horne is seeking re-election to the office of Attorney General. Mark Brnovich is seeking the nomination from Tom Horne to face Democrat Felecia Rotellini.

Diane Douglas seeks to win the nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction from John Huppenthal. Ironically, the communist element of Arizona revealed earlier this year that Huppenthal made posts on social media and various conservative web sites promoting himself for supporting Common Core—the communists answer to education. Diane Douglas is running on a platform to stop Common Core altogether.

Independent voter registration continues to rise

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Arizona Independent Party on Facebook.

Arizona Independent Party on Facebook.

STATEWIDE – As the Primary Election approaches voters with no designated party affiliation continue to outnumber voters in recognized political parties.

Since March 2014, the number of independent voters has risen by 18,201. In comparison the number of registered Democrats and Republicans fell by 16,036 and 7,447; respectively. Meanwhile, the Libertarian and Americans Elect parties grew slightly.

A Facebook page has been set up for independent voters to exchange ideas.

geo-farewell-1Arizona has four recognized political parties: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian and Americans Elect. Registrants who decline to indicate a party preference or register with parties without recognized status are classified as “Other” by election officials but are widely referred to as “independents.”

Statewide, overall voter registration decreased by 0.15%. This is attributed to the maintenance of the voter rolls by the counties.

Republicans select former Senator Sylvia Allen to replace Senator Crandell

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ALLEN_SPHOENIX – The Republican party has selected former Senator Sylvia Allen as nominee to replace the late Senator Chester Crandell for LD-6. The office of the Arizona Secretary of State announced today that the Committee to Elect Sylvia Allen filed today in preparation for the upcoming election.

Senator Crandell passed away August 4 while a nominee for re-election for the Senate seat for LD-6. Since ballots were already issued with his name for the primary without opposition, he automatically wins the primary. The Republican party is required to select a replacement.

Senator Allen is a well-known conservative Republican making her the logical replacement. Sylvia Allen served in the Arizona Senate from June 2008 to January 2013.

She chaired the Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty Committee of the Arizona Senate and was Vice Chair on the Natural Resources and Transportation Committee. She was a member on the following committees:

  • Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Health and Welfare
  • Education Committee
  • Education Accountability and Reform Committee
  • Rules Committee
  • Water, Land Use and Rural Development Committee

Senator Allen has a conservative voting record. She received an A- grade for her voting record from the Goldwater Institute in 2012.

LD-6 committeemen are still required to approve the selection.

Deadline to request early mail ballot is Aug. 15

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Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – The last day to request a ballot from your County Recorder for the Primary Election is 5 p.m., Friday, August 15. The Secretary of State’s Office recommends having your early ballot voted, signed, sealed and sent by August 22. If early voters miss the August 22 deadline they may return their ballot to an early voting location, at the County Recorder’s Office, or at the polling place in their county on Primary Election Day.

For security reasons, election officials recommend to only give your early mail ballot to your postal worker. Should you miss the mailing deadline, you may drop your ballot at an early voting location or with your County Recorder. For locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office. If you vote by early mail ballot, do not vote in person.

All voters – including independent voters or those without a party preference – are able to vote through one of three ways:

  1. Early mail ballot;
  2. Early in-person voting; or
  3. In-person on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, August 26.

To find an early voting location and availability, contact the County Recorder. Early in-person voting ends Friday, August 22.

For those voting on Election Day, August 26, make sure you know your correct polling location, as voting locations may change from election to election. To know before you go, go online to www.azsos.gov, and click on the Voter View icon or call 1-877-THE VOTE or in the Phoenix Metro Area 602-542-8683. The Voter View portion of the website is compatible with smartphones and tablets. You also may contact your County Recorder’s office.

Early ballots mail for the Primary Election

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300px-to-polls-az2PHOENIX – Early ballots for the Primary Election have been mailed for voters affiliated with a recognized political parties. More than 1 million early ballots will mail statewide. Recognized political parties include Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or American’s Elect.

“Independent voters make up the largest group of voters in Arizona; and it is important for them to know they can vote in the Primary Election,” said Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Both independent and partisan voters have the choice of voting by mail or at the poll on Election Day, August 26.”

To vote by mail, whether a partisan or independent voter, contact the County Recorder for the county of legal residence and request an early partisan ballot. If voting at an early voting location, an independent voter may make his or her party ballot selection at the poll. For early voting locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office.

The last day to request an early ballot for the Primary Election is August 15, 2014. Vote, sign, seal, and send the primary ballot no later than August 22, 2014. If you vote by mail, do not vote again in person. Also, for security reasons, only give your ballot to your postal worker. Should you miss the mailing deadline, you may drop your ballot at an early voting location or with your County Recorder. For locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office.

“If you wouldn’t trust a person with your money,” said Secretary Bennett, “I recommend not trusting him or her with your ballot.”

For those voters voting on Election Day, August 26, make sure you know your correct polling location, as voting locations may change from election to election. To know before you go, go online to www.azsos.gov, and click on the Voter View icon or call 1-877-THE VOTE or in the Phoenix Metro Area (602) 542-8683. The Voter View portion of the website is compatible with smartphones and tablets.

Northern Arizona Gazette predicts winners in city council race

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Mayor John Moore may be re-elected

Mayor John Moore may be re-elected

WILLIAMS – Using the latest polling and scientific methods, the Northern Arizona Gazette feels confident in predicting the outcome of the city council race in the City of Williams.

With the results of the early balloting not yet in, we believe that Don Dent, Lee Payne and even Bernie Hiemenz will retain their council seats.

It also appears that Mayor John Moore should receive a majority of the votes provided no dogs, horses or other animals or livestock are written in.

On a serious note, Proposition 402 appears to be not consistent with Arizona voting practice. In the past, courts have stopped Propositions which asks voters to approve two different items in one proposal.

This Proposition calls for voters to approve the extension of the alternative expenditure limitation, or the so-called Home Rule. Otherwise the city would have to comply with the expenditure limits imposed by the State of Arizona. This proposal would allow Home Rule in Williams through 2019.

It also allows the candidates for office to be declared the winners in the primary election without having to appear on the ballot for the General Election on November 4. This would prevent any person desiring to be a write-in candidate for the General Election from running.