by Laura Huenneke
Those who work for the integrity, openness, and security of our elections are already preparing for 2024. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes brought several staff members to Flagstaff on April 26, as he toured the Coconino County Elections Warehouse and visited with the County Elections Department. Coconino Democrats Chair Laura Carter and Secretary Laura Huenneke joined Republican counterparts in representing the voices of poll workers, observers, and voters in a lively discussion of all things election in our county. The Secretary delved into security measures, facilities and equipment needs, and the logistics of providing everything from secure ballot transport to ADA parking to portable toilets in our most remote polling places. Our County Supervisors provide the budget for the operation of elections, but the Secretary of State’s office sometimes has grant funding to share with counties – for example, assistance through the Help America Vote Act. Secretary Fontes shared his passion for ensuring that every eligible voter is able to register and to exercise their right to vote without harassment or undue burden.
As noted in our last newsletter, Laura Huenneke is a member of Coconino County’s focus group advising the Elections Department on guidelines for polling places and vote centers for Election Day voting. If you have priorities or suggestions, based on your own observations and voting experiences, please let Laura know by emailing .
The Election Integrity Committee (EIC) of the Arizona Democratic Party is also starting up its activities for the current election cycle. The EIC has met twice (by Zoom) under its new Chair, Xanthe Bullard, and is establishing four working groups or subcommittees. These groups will work on understanding best practices in election integrity, helping county election departments recruit and train effective poll workers and poll observers, and following/influencing the development of election-related legislation. The fourth subcommittee will be working on census and redistricting issues, unless and until a separate standing committee on redistricting is established (as has been proposed). The EIC would welcome new members eager to work on any of these issues – if you are interested, please contact Laura Huenneke ( ).
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