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Senator Ugenti-Rita outlines her priorities for utilizing Arizona's $8 million in CARES Act money

Writer's picture: Arizona Senate RepublicansArizona Senate Republicans


(Phoenix, State Capitol) --- On Friday, March 27th, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Out of the $2 trillion appropriated in the Act, $400 million is awarded to states as grants to offset the additional expenses associated with managing elections due the national emergency related to COVID-19. Arizona will receive $8 million in aid for this effort.

As a former Chairman of the House Elections Committee and with a history of reforming our election laws and protecting the security and integrity of our elections, the following recommendations, which are permissible uses of the funds outlined in the Act, are how Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita believes this money should be utilized.

  • Hire, retain and train poll workers, including potentially using the Arizona National Guard.

  • Secure or lease new polling locations in the event existing sites are no longer available.

  • Develop and implement a public outreach campaign informing registered voters not already on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) of all their options to cast their vote, other than in person on election day, including but not limited to enrolling in PEVL.

  • Purchase and acquire cleaning supplies, protective masks and gloves, and related items for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of voters and poll workers.

"I have heard essentially only one alternative to addressing voting in the upcoming election during this pandemic, and that is to move to an all-mail election," said Sen. Ugenti-Rita. "If people want to be serious about doing something, rather than fixating on an idea that has little to do with this crisis and a lot more to do with a perennial political agenda, we should utilize this money by following these recommendations. Arizona has many more voting options than most other states and this flexibility combined with these resources will ensure people who wish to vote can do so in a safe manner this election.”

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