Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen hinted that there could be a lawsuit in store for the Arizona secretary of state's office.
The 2023 Elections Procedures Manual was released on Dec. 30 by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and was approved by Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, all three of whom are Democrats.
"Free, fair and secure elections have been this group's commitment to the voter from the very beginning," Fontes said in a statement. "This is what happens when a committed group of leaders comes together to serve their community. It's good for our democracy and it's good for Arizona."
In Mayes' statement, she said that the manual is helpful for local elections workers, as they have been the subject of intense scrutiny amid heightened election fraud claims in recent years.
"Local election officials are on the front lines of democracy, and they need clear, actionable guidance to do their jobs effectively," Mayes said. "The updated manual is a direct response to that need, offering detailed procedures and protocols to navigate the complexities of election administration. It's a comprehensive resource aimed at ensuring that our elections are not only fair and secure but also transparent, reinforcing public trust in the electoral process in Arizona."
However, Petersen said that the manual failed to consider the election laws passed by the Republican-majority legislature.
