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The geniuses at our legislature are at it again. It’s bad enough that less than 40% of eligible voters actually voted in the 2014 Arizona general election but now some legislators want to make it harder for some to get their vote in the ballot box. House Bill 2023 sponsored by Republicans was passed in the House by a 34-23 vote. It now goes to the Senate.
The bill blocks voter outreach groups from collecting and dropping off early voting ballots. This is another roadblock that will make it harder for the poor, minorities, and disabled especially those living in rural areas to vote. Arizona is already well known for disenfranchising eligible voters. To add another law making it harder for Americans to cast their vote is wrong.
Studies have shown that the most important socioeconomic factor affecting voter turnout is education. The more education a voter has, the more likely they are to vote. This is probably another reason Arizona ranks at the bottom in the United States for spending on education.
Not only does the bill restrict voting rights but it makes it a felony for anyone other than a family member, roommate, care giver, postal worker or candidate to collect early ballots from another person. Putting someone in prison for helping others vote, only in Arizona! Prisons are another way of disenfranchising voters especially minorities. Arizona has plenty of them as they cater to the private prison industry. Let’s hope the Senate sees the stupidity of this bill and votes to defeat it.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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