Senator Hoffman Advances Election Integrity Measure Requiring Federal Law Enforcement Presence at Arizona Voting Locations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Arizona Senate Republicans are advancing legislation this week to strengthen election security and restore public confidence in the voting process by ensuring existing election laws are consistently enforced at polling locations across the state during the 2026 general election.
In Senate Judiciary & Elections Committee, a strike everything amendment will be proposed to SB 1570, sponsored by Senator Jake Hoffman. It requires county recorders and county boards of supervisors to coordinate written agreements with federal immigration authorities to provide a lawful federal presence at early voting sites, Election Day polling places, and ballot drop box locations. The measure is intended to prevent violations of voter eligibility laws, establish consistent election security standards across all counties, and address ongoing public concerns about election administration following years of disputes and uncertainty. Federal personnel would be permitted to observe election activity and carry out duties already authorized under federal law but would be strictly prohibited from interfering with voting or questioning anyone solely to determine voter eligibility.
Confidence in elections has improved since 2020, but polling shows Americans still place overwhelming importance on enforcing voter eligibility laws and protecting election integrity. According to Pew Research Center, roughly nine in ten voters say stopping ineligible voting is important, while trust in government overall remains near historic lows. Measures that increase transparency and enforcement are necessary to rebuild lasting public confidence in election outcomes.
"Arizonans deserve to know that election laws are not just written in statute but actually enforced in practice," said Senator Hoffman. "For too long, confusion, inconsistency, and a lack of visible accountability have fueled doubts about how elections are administered. This measure establishes clear, uniform standards across every county and brings additional oversight to locations where ballots are cast and collected. The intent is to deter violations before they happen, ensure existing laws are followed, and protect the rights of every lawful voter. Just as importantly, the legislation makes clear that voting cannot be disrupted and that no one may be targeted simply for participating in an election. When voters see the rules applied fairly and consistently, confidence in the outcome follows."
"Elections should never be surrounded by uncertainty or last-minute disputes that put voters and election workers in difficult positions," said Senator Wendy Rogers, Chair of the Senate Judiciary & Elections Committee. "Our responsibility is to make sure clear procedures are in place before ballots are cast, not after problems arise. This legislation focuses on prevention by improving coordination and setting expectations ahead of the 2026 election so counties, law enforcement, and voters all understand how the process will operate from day one."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus