Arizona GOP Lawmakers Threaten Lawsuit Over 2025 Election Manual Provisions

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and other Republican leaders are threatening legal action against Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes over the draft of the 2025 Elections Procedures Manual, claiming it contains provisions that exceed the Secretary of State's legal authority and conflict with state law. Key points of contention include rules allowing apparent non-citizens extended time to provide proof of citizenship, efforts by county officials to obtain such proof instead of rejecting incomplete registrations, and provisions perceived to weaken election safeguards and political parties' authority. Republicans argue that these rules amount to government overreach and undermine election integrity, insisting that any law changes should come through the legislature rather than the manual. Fontes and his office maintain that the manual aims to ensure consistent and efficient election practices statewide, and they view the Republican criticism as premature political theatrics given the draft status and recent close of the public comment period. The manual must be reviewed and approved by the governor and attorney general, with the possibility for revisions before finalization, but the dispute highlights ongoing tensions over election administration in Arizona.