Press Release |
Contact: Matthew Roberts, Director of Communications |
PHOENIX – At a public meeting held this
morning in Phoenix, Secretary of State Ken Bennett certified the
candidates and determined their respective ballot position for the
upcoming Arizona Presidential Preference Election on February 28, 2012.
The Republican and Green parties were the two—of Arizona's five—
recognized parties who chose to participate in the Presidential
Preference Election (PPE). Notably, "open primary" provisions do not
apply to the PPE. In order to vote the elector must be registered with
a participating party. Additionally, there is not any rotation of names
on the ballot. The order decided today is the order in which each
party’s candidates will be listed on the ballots around the state.
"Our office has certified 29 candidates for the upcoming PPE, and this
morning we determined their respective position on the ballot," said
Secretary Bennett. "I'm glad that we had so many of the candidates or
campaigns present to participate in the event."
Participants drew their position by selecting a number from a historic
trophy that was given by the employees of the New York Navy Yard to the
U.S.S. Arizona at the launching of the ship on June 19, 1915.
The Secretary of State's office certified 23 Republicans and 6 Green
candidates but rejected over twenty candidate nomination papers. Of
those rejected, only a handful successfully refiled.
"We were unable to accept over twenty nomination papers for a variety
of reasons. In some cases, we rejected candidates who indicated they
were not members of the party from which they were seeking the
Presidential nomination. For others, incomplete paperwork was a common
error. The requirements to be placed on the PPE ballot are
straightforward and prescribed by state statute. Our office is required
to accept complete and authentic nomination paperwork by the deadline.
During the three week filing period, we work with candidates to rectify
mistakes, but we strictly adhere to statutory deadlines.
"It's our understanding that ballots will start being printed this
evening so they can be mailed to military and overseas voters this
weekend. Any delay jeopardizes their ability to participate in the PPE,
and runs afoul of federal law."
For an official listing of the ballot order, visit www.azsos.gov/upcomingelections.
The last day to register to vote in the PPE is Monday, January 30th at
midnight. Early voting begins February 2nd and the last day to request
an early ballot is on February 17th. The Secretary of State's office
will perform its official canvass on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.