Arizona Republicans’ Proposal for Separate Presidential Primary Causes Tension Among Top Party Members and Washington Republicans
PHOENIX — A proposal by Republican election deniers in Arizona who want to opt out of the state’s government-run presidential primary election in 2024 and instead hold the party’s own one-day, in-person election, with paper ballots that would be counted by hand, has caused anxiety among top Republicans in Washington, who fear being drawn into a messy fight.
The proposal, put forward by the Maricopa County Republican Committee, was rejected by the state party leader shortly ahead of the Friday deadline. The decision has set the stage for potential political backlash in 2024. Arizona has seen its GOP shift to the right in recent years due to the influence of MAGA loyalists and election skeptics.
Jeff DeWit, chair of the state party, cited financial and logistical constraints as the reason for rejecting the proposal. He stated that the party lacks the necessary resources to run an election for the estimated 1.4 million eligible voters.
The dispute over the management of the state’s nominating contest highlights the divide between conservatives who want significant changes to voting procedures following former President Donald Trump’s electoral defeat in 2020 and those who accept his loss and seek to maintain institutional election norms.
The battle takes place within the largest voting jurisdiction in a state that will play a pivotal role in determining the presidency and control of the U.S. Senate. It comes after years of the vilification of voting norms by Trump and his supporters, contributing to Democratic gains in the state.
Supporters of the proposal argue that it aligns with Trump’s past calls for paper ballots and would improve the integrity of the electoral process. They have lobbied Trump’s top aides to back their position. However, other officials, including DeWit, have deemed the proposal unworkable and potentially financially burdensome for the state party.
Former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, known for promoting the false claim that Trump won the 2020 election, has expressed support for the proposal but did not directly involve the Trump campaign in the matter.
While Trump has not taken a position on the issue, his campaign advisers and Republican National Committee officials have been engaged in discussions regarding the proposal. Ultimately, the Trump campaign and national party officials have decided to refrain from taking a stance.
The Maricopa County Republican Committee’s proposal contradicts the efforts of the RNC and Trump-affiliated groups to embrace early voting. The RNC launched a “Bank Your Vote” program to encourage early voting, acknowledging the importance of the majority of Arizona voters who prefer returning their ballots early.
The rejection of the proposal by the state party could result in legal complications and unwanted scrutiny, according to DeWit. The decision was made after consultation with legal counsel, who highlighted potential breaches of bylaws and the intervention of entities such as the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, Arizona Democrats have confirmed their participation in the traditional government-run primary in March. Party Chair Yolanda Bejarano expressed disappointment in the Republicans’ internal rift and stated that Democrats would focus on reelecting President Biden and Vice President Harris while the Arizona Republicans continue to debate the principles of democracy.