As business, religious, and civic leaders, who are deeply invested in our state, we strongly believe every Arizonan should have a voice in our democracy and that voting should be equally accessible and safe for all voters. In the arc of history, we should remember that Arizona was an early adopter of the permanent vote by mail list and our state has successfully utilized this system for over two decades and know it's safe and secure. A free and equal right to vote protects all other freedoms and rights that we hold dear as Americans and as Arizonans we believe deeply in a free and equal right to vote.
That is why we are grateful that our Maricopa Board of Supervisors have continually embraced and acknowledged Arizona’s long and proud history of voting by mail with no issues. They are on the front lines, studying this approach and know it has worked. As they have cited, multiple publicly conducted audits have already shown that Arizona’s 2020 elections were conducted safely and securely, with no evidence of fraud or other misconduct.
Earlier this year, we saw the reputational and economic damage done when Georgia passed discriminatory voter legislation. The MLB moved the All-Star game and corporations across industries spoke out against the measures. Sadly, some of our leadership at the Arizona Legislature are following this misguided and unsubstantiated approach. These continued measures aren’t just harmful for a vibrant democracy, but it will most certainly harm Arizona’s reputation once again. At a time when we are just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel from the economic devastation because of the Covid19 pandemic, we don't need unnecessary roadblocks to a vibrant democracy and to a successful economic recovery in the form of controversial and divisive measures that will only bring negative attention to our state.
As individuals who hold our corporate responsibility and democracy in great esteem, we ask that we work together to identify common goals that will help us to physically, emotionally and economically recover as a united front. Democracy works best when everyone has the meaningful opportunity to participate, and we are grateful that our Supervisors at the risk of their careers care more about the future of Arizona over political expediency. This is not a time for additional barriers, but rather a time to seriously focus on real issues – economic growth and recovery, revitalizing industries damaged by the Covid19 pandemic, and policies that will help all Arizonans succeed.
Thank you to our Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for listening to the data and answering in a unified voice by urging that now this is a time to stop calls and efforts that continue to promote costly and baseless election audits. We are grateful for your leadership to shut down all audit efforts, graciously accept the outcome of the 2020 election cycle and instead follow our better angels and inspire one another to unite as Arizonans and Americans.
Sincerely,
John Graham, Chairman and CEO, Sunbelt Holdings
Robert Heidt, President & CEO, Glendale Chamber of Commerce
Kimber Lanning, CEO, Local First Arizona
Sheila Kloefkorn, CEO & President, KEO Marketing Inc
Lorenzo Perez, Co-Owner, Venue Projects
Adam Goodman, CEO, Goodmans Interior Structures
Paul Johnson, Owner, Old World Communities
Gonzalo de la Melena, CEO, EDM Ventures
Angela Hughey, co-founder & President, ONE Community
Michael Soto, Executive Director, Equality Arizona
Jason Wong, Founder & Board Chairman, Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders
Frankie Jo Rios, President & CEO, East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Doug Bruhnke, CEO, Global Chamber
Robert Kravitz, Rabbi Dr
Catherine Scrivano, President, CASCO Financial Group
Chris Waychoff, Numbers Guru, NMAAB
The Very Rev. Troy D. Mendez, Dean, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Ed Zito, Managing Partner, Black Point Ventures LLC
Dr. Joel P. Martin, President, Triad West, Inc.
Kega Nasios, Pastor
Christopher Carpenter, Presiding Bishop, Reformed Catholic Church
Susanne Lake, CEO, Slake Consulting
Warren Norgaard, Owner, Milkweed Arts
Kerwin Brown, Founder & Managing Principal, K-Vaughn Consulting
Scarlett Spring, Chief Executive Officer, Taproot Intervention & Solutions
Diane M. Serpa, Owner, Grey Cat Dot Digital Design
Thomas Tenkely, Owner, Joe Filter
Kimberly Bogues, CEO, Flourish Business Services, LLC
Carl Johnson, Owner, JP Retail Management Inc
Elaina Verhoff, Owner, Elaina V. Public Relations
Pamela Hamilton, Owner & Publisher. Edible Phoenix
Jeff Taylor, Owner, Tri-Tek Electronics
Miriam Carlson-Maier, Owner, The Whiskey Porch
Audrey Holmes, Owner, Sonoran Desert Pet Resort
Kristen Burkhart Ferhati, Co-Owner, Re Di Roma Wood-Fired Pizza
Suzanne Lewis, Founder & Principal, Meridian Education
Nancy Biggins, President, Copper Hummingbird, LLC
Natalie McGee, Owner, Arizona Cactus Ranch
Monica Merenda, Owner, Los Compadres
Ryan Moser, Owner and Manager, Old Orchard Mobile Notary
Amanda Crisalli, Owner, Verve Studios
Juan Kingsbury, Founder and Talent Strategist, Career Blindspot
Justin McKay, Owner, Justin McKay + Co
Walt Pitts, Musician, Prime Vibe Music
Sara Miles, Owner/Head Trainer, Smiles Dog Training
Laura Tanzer, Owner, Laura Tanzer LLC
Kari Carlisle, Executive Director, Heritage Square Foundation
Jaime Zuder, Managing Partner, Journey Payroll & HR - PHX
Shane Reiser, Owner, Reiser Holdings, LLC
Isaac Navias, CEO, LocalFi LLC
Carol Comito
Don Benton
Rick Heumann
Miriam Weisman
Karl Schmitt
Carl Johnson
