Swoboda Reacts to Hobbs’ Vote Speed-Up Veto

In a swing state like Arizona, where there are as many Independents as party-affiliated voters, there’s little room for consensus on issues. But most Arizonans agree the state’s slow pace of counting ballots during the 2024 election was unacceptable. To address the slow vote counting, Arizona Republicans hoped to deliver a solution to voters on this issue. However, a Tuesday afternoon veto from Governor Katie Hobbs thwarted those plans, setting up a potential ballot initiative to decide the issue in 2026.

Arizona GOP Chair Gina Swoboda told the Arizona Globe, “These election bills have a broad coalition of support.” Swoboda, who also serves as the Executive Director for Voter Reference, says Hobbs is “standing in the way of the will of the people.” She added that “these policies are commonsense process improvements requested by the voters.” The change of pace from Swoboda’s usually reserved demeanor has also been showcased on X this week, where the AZGOP has been more aggressive than usual in pressuring Hobbs to sign the bills.

Arizonans want same-day results for our elections!@GovernorHobbs can either be a part of the solution or continue the status quo, which is absolutely unacceptable. Voters should not have to wait days for results in critical races.

Chair @GinaSwoboda is working hard to improve… pic.twitter.com/PQxjAJnz66

— Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) February 17, 2025

The bills (SB 1011 and HB 2703) would have afforded voters same-day tabulation for ballots dropped off at designated early voting locations in Maricopa County. It created a time requirement, including ballots dropped after 7 p.m. the Friday before election day. Maricopa County represents about two-thirds of the state’s vote.

According to the press release issued by Arizona Senate Republicans, “if this legislation is signed into law, 95% of votes will be reported on election night.” Hobbs, however, has echoed comments from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who opposes the bill’s shorter window for drop-off ballots. He released a statement questioning why Arizona would change its laws “just because networks can’t make their call on election night.”

In a letter explaining her veto decision, Hobbs said the proposed legislation “disenfranchises voters by adding additional steps for the hundreds of thousands of Arizona voters who prefer to vote by mail.”

The veto isn’t the end of the line for these bills. Lawmakers intend to create a ballot initiative in 2026 to allow the voters to decide.

The GOP hopes a ballot initiative will be rendered moot by defeating Hobbs in the 2026 gubernatorial race. Swoboda and the Arizona Republican Party have vowed to continue using this as a wedge against Hobbs and Fontes because they believe it’s a winning issue.

“Let’s give Arizona same-day results,” Swoboda told the Globe. “It’s time for Governor Hobbs to be the chief executive of all the people, not just the radical left.”