Arizona Politics

Gillette Condemns Fontes' New UOCAVA Directive

State Representative John Gillette (R-30) condemned Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes' recent directive for the tabulation of Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) ballots.

Last week, Fontes launched a new UOCAVA system with a group called Enhanced Voting, which allows overseas voters to complete the entire voting process from a personal device, including signing their ballot affidavit, but still allows for printing and mailing of physical ballots.

Despite Fontes saying that the new system has been rigorously tested, State Rep. Gillette challenged it, arguing that the new system breaks chain-of-custody procedures, strips counties of direct oversight, and effectively creates a backdoor means of allowing non-residents and illegal aliens to vote in Arizona elections.

"UOCAVA exists to ensure that our deployed service members, their families, and Arizona residents living overseas can securely exercise their right to vote," said the Mojave County Representative, adding, "It does not give voting rights to foreign nationals, illegal immigrants, or U.S. citizens with no prior Arizona residency. This directive is a reckless expansion of voting access beyond what the law allows."

Gillette further suggested that Fontes' new directive is the exact sort of system that Arizona Democrats have attempted to implement via legislation, saying, "The Secretary of State is attempting to change election law without the consent of the people's representatives, and in the process, he's jeopardizing the integrity of our elections."

As a result, he called for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to investigate the new system, while the Election Commission holds UOCAVA funds until compliance is assured.

"Our elections must protect lawful voters—especially our men and women serving overseas," Gillette concluded, "They deserve a voting system that is secure, transparent, and faithful to the law, not one manipulated for partisan gain."

The Mojave County Representative's demands come on the heels of a Congressional bill introduced by Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), which tightens the rules surrounding overseas voting.

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.

Recent Posts

Andy Biggs Condemns Democrats Who Voted Against Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk

Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has denounced the 58 Democrats who voted against the House's resolution…

9 hours ago

Steve Montenegro Files Supreme Court Brief Supporting Ban on Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

Arizona House Republicans are asking the nation's highest court to weigh in on one of…

11 hours ago

Massive Turnout at Charlie Kirk Memorial, Erika Kirk Says 'I Forgive Him'

A sea of red, white, and blue filled the grounds around State Farm Stadium over…

12 hours ago

SNAKEBITE— 9.22.25— Gallego's Home Buyer Bill— House's Clean Continuing Resolution— Biggs on HOV Lane Policy, Mayes, Lake, Fontes, Much More...

Gallego's Home Buyer Bill Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN) have introduced bipartisan…

13 hours ago

Ruben Gallego Introduces Bipartisan Bill Assisting First-Time Homebuyers

Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN) have introduced bipartisan legislation to help first-time…

3 days ago

House Passes 'Clean' Continuing Resolution, Congress Reacts

The House of Representatives has just passed a continuing resolution (CR) that prevents a government…

3 days ago