Ortiz Signals Willingness to Work Together on Election Bill

Despite opposing Senate Bill SB1011, which streamlines early voting procedures, Senator Analise Ortiz (D-LD24) has signaled a willingness to work with Republicans to craft a compromise. The bill, introduced by Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), aims to expedite election results by modifying early voting procedures. One of the bill’s major changes is the addition of a cutoff for acceptance. Under the bill, early ballots must be returned no later than 7 p.m. on the Friday preceding Election Day. The current rules allow acceptance until the end of Election Day.

Although Petersen asserts that this change will “end the frustration” and “increase confidence in our system” by delivering more timely election outcomes, Democrats express concerns over possible “voter disenfranchisement.”

Democrats don’t just have a different plan to achieve faster election results, we have a better plan.

Hear directly from your ranking member on the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee, Senator Analise Ortiz (LD24): pic.twitter.com/FRmABs62pq

— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) January 14, 2025

Senator Ortiz, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee, characterized the measure as “voter suppression,” expressing concerns that it could disenfranchise voters who rely on the flexibility of current early voting options. This week, the Committee, chaired by Senator Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), heard testimony on SB1011. The Arizona Globe attended the hearing and reported on the proceedings here.

During the Judiciary Hearing, Ortiz expressed several concerns about the bill. She stated, “Faster results and expanding access to the ballot box for eligible voters are not mutually exclusive.” You can hear some of her testimony posted on X:

Ranking Democratic Senator @SenAnaliseOrtiz stated it best,“I think this bill is an absolutely atrocious attempt to make it harder to drop off your early ballots.” #SB1011 #azleg

Faster results and expanding access to the ballot box for eligible voters are not mutually… pic.twitter.com/pXJKhlRxlB

— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) January 16, 2025

Likewise, Senator Lauren Kuby (D-LD8) voted no in committee and said, “There are ways to speed up the process and also increase voter access at the same time.”

In an exclusive discussion with the Arizona Globe, Ortiz expressed an openness to bipartisan efforts to expedite election results. She stated, “There is absolutely room for the Democrats to support a bill to speed up election results.” However, Ortiz emphasized that proposals reducing voter access, such as banning Election Day ballot drop-offs, are unacceptable: “A proposal that will reduce access by banning Election Day ballot drop-offs is where we draw a hard line in the sand.” She also noted that while Democrats have previously supported bipartisan initiatives to accelerate result reporting without compromising voter access, these efforts have often faced obstacles from Republicans.

On social media, the Democrats posted a draft of their plan:

SB1011 is, in theory, a bill to speed up election results. However, our job is to pass bills that work in practice.

The fact is we do not have to sacrifice access or security to achieve faster results. These ideas have long been popular AND bipartisan: (2/) pic.twitter.com/nvmOGTUtr9

— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) January 16, 2025

In response to an inquiry from the Globe regarding the Democrats’ alternative election reform plan, Senate President Warren Petersen stated, “The bill I have includes all those points. The only disagreement is the cutoff of Friday to drop ballots.” He further asserted that SB1011 has garnered support from local Democrats, emphasizing “definitely their constituents.” Petersen added, “But the hard left opposes and the Democratic legislators appear to be appeasing them.” He expressed confidence in bipartisan backing and remarked, “Fetterman or a reasonable Democrat would be a yes vote!”

Senator Ortiz respectfully disagreed with President Petersen’s characterization of the Democrats’ election reform plan. She clarified, “Respectfully, the President is not correct that our plan is covered in his bill. His bill covers just one aspect of our proposal. Another part was in his bill but he removed it in committee.”

Ortiz highlighted key differences, noting, “His bill doesn’t require weekend voting to be offered to voters, [and] doesn’t allow ballots to be returned throughout Election Day.” She emphasized that the Democrats’ comprehensive proposal aims to both increase voter access and expedite results, pointing out that several components had previously garnered unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate two years prior.”

When the Globe asked Ortiz whether the Democrat plan had been filed or was still being drafted, she responded, “Unfortunately our Legislative Council is a bit backed up with bill requests right now, but we’re hoping to have our proposal back as soon as possible to make it clear that our proposal in no way is covered by SB1011. The last day to submit bills is Feb. 3.”

The Globe will continue to monitor the bill’s progress.