In a foundational move for Arizona's political landscape, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has delivered the 2025 Election Procedures Manual (EPM) to Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, marking official approval from all key figures before the year-end deadline. This advancement is especially notable as it reflects a rare instance of collaboration and consensus-building in a state whose electoral processes have been a contentious battleground in recent years.
The EPM serves as the guiding document for elections in Arizona's 15 counties, directing the execution of elections where laws may be ambiguous or incomplete. As reported by the Arizona Secretary of State, Secretary Fontes emphasized the importance of this manual in ensuring consistency and fairness throughout the state, noting the historic achievement in enacting the second EPM within a single term, an endeavor not seen for over a decade.
"The EPM ensures that every voter, in every corner of Arizona, has the same accountable and secure election process," Fontes stated, outlining the meticulous and inclusive process that underpinned the draft's creation. Acknowledging bipartisan cooperation, Fontes also highlighted a significant public input period that bolstered the manual's credibility and responsiveness to citizen concerns.
Governing elections with clarity is paramount in maintaining democratic integrity, a sentiment echoed by Attorney General Mayes, who vindicated the EPM's role by stating, "Local election officials are the backbone of our democracy, and they need clear, practical guidance to administer our elections." Meanwhile, Governor Hobbs reinforced the commitment to safeguarding democratic processes by applauding the manual as a bulwark against partisan interference, verbalizing approval of a document designed to fortify the state's election security and fairness, according to the Arizona Secretary of State.
With the EPM now stamped with approval, Arizona sets its sights on the upcoming 2026 election cycle, with the assurance that its foundational procedures and operations have been firmly established, and, bolstered by bipartisan efforts that suggest a shared commitment to upholding the mechanisms that are key to democracy's vitality in the state.
