Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2021

CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org

Secure Democracy Warns Against Advancing S.B. 1485, Restricting Early Voting

Seven in 10 Republican votes cast in the 2020 general election were cast by voters on the PEVL

PHOENIX—  In response to the Arizona House’s passage of S.B. 1485 this afternoon, Secure Democracy issued the following statement:

“By advancing this bill, Republican lawmakers risk silencing their own voters,” said Sarah Walker, executive director of Secure Democracy. “Seven in 10 Republican votes in 2020 were cast by voters on the Permanent Early Voting List. Instead of eliminating this voting option that millions of Arizonans rely on, lawmakers should focus on legislation that would actually make Arizona elections more accessible, transparent, and accountable to the voters.” 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

S.B. 1485 passed the Arizona House with amendments and now returns to the Senate. 

Arizona’s Republican lawmakers established the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) nearly 15 years ago to allow voters to sign up to automatically receive their ballot in the mail for every election. With 3.17 million people enrolled in the PEVL, nearly three-quarters (73%) of the votes cast in the 2020 general election were cast by those on the PEVL. S.B. 1485 would purge voters from the PEVL if they do not vote an early ballot in both the primary and general election for two consecutive election cycles. 

Secure Democracy’s research found that S.B. 1485 would disproportionately impact Republican voters. Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) Republican votes cast in the 2020 general election were cast by voters on the PEVL.

In Arizona, nearly all voters exercise their freedom to vote by mail. In the 2020 general election in Arizona, nearly 9 in 10 voters (89%) cast their ballot by mail. A Secure Democracy analysis of Arizona Secretary of State data from the 2020 general found: 

  • Only around 1 in 10 Arizona Republicans voted on Election Day;

  • 85% of total Republican votes were cast absentee;

  • 93% of Republican donors cast absentee ballots;

  • Republicans cast 60% of all early votes in the 2020 general election in Arizona;

  • Republicans cast 51% of all absentee votes in the 2020 general election in Arizona;

  • More than 9 in 10 (91%) of all military voters in Arizona voted absentee; and

  • Fewer than 1 in 10 (7%) Republican military voters in Arizona voted on Election Day.

A Secure Democracy statewide poll found that 73% percent of Arizonans feel very confident that Arizona’s 2020 elections were fair and accurate, and 84% reported a good personal experience voting. The poll also found widespread support for current policies that expand voting access, with 88% of voters supporting options to return their vote-by-mail ballot in person at a polling place, in the mail, or at a secure ballot drop box.

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About Secure Democracy

Secure Democracy works across the country to educate policymakers and the public about secure and fair elections. Secure Democracy advocates for common-sense steps that our elected leaders can take to safeguard our elections, because voting should be accessible to all eligible citizens—working families, military families, homebound seniors, students, and people in rural communities.