2020 Maricopa County Directs Use of Sharpie Pens - Revision history

Neil thibodaux: /* Potential Governance Gap(s): */

2026-09-10T03:36:19Z

Potential Governance Gap(s):

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:36, 9 September 2026
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	** Attribute(s): [[16.09]], [[16.10]]		** Attribute(s): [[16.09]], [[16.10]]
	* Principle 17 - Evaluate Issues and Remediate Deficiencies		* Principle 17 - Evaluate Issues and Remediate Deficiencies
	** Attribute(s): [[17.01]], [[17.02]], [[17.05]], [[17.06]]		** Attribute(s): [[17.01]], [[17.02]], [[17.04]], [[17.05]], [[17.06]]

Neil thibodaux: /* Notable Relationship of these Observations to Signature Verification */

2026-09-10T00:53:20Z

Notable Relationship of these Observations to Signature Verification

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 * This report confirms that Sharpie Markers were capable of bleeding through the paper, which is likely associated with the "issues and concerns" noted by the Maricopa Leader
 * The report usage of "on some ballots" suggest an occasional problem, leaving the possibility that at least two types of paper were used, which allowed the ink to bleed through on some, but not other ballots.
 The report states, "Maricopa County preferred that voters use these pens because the ink dries quickly, as opposed to ballpoint ink, which takes more time to dry and thus can transfer onto the tabulator and cause the tabulator to reject ballots because it “reads” the transferred ink and detects it as a fault."
@@ Line 83: / Line 84: @@
 <u>If</u> testing had demonstrated the appropriate accuracy prior to the election, <u>then</u> test results would have most certainly been presented to the "Conspiracy Theorist" as evidence of their wrongful thinking.
 ==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====

Neil thibodaux: /* Spread this Unethical Plan */

2026-09-09T22:44:27Z

Spread this Unethical Plan

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:44, 9 September 2026
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	'''Deviation:''' The email seeks to ensure everyone is passing out Sharpie Markers contrary to the ballot instructions. Everyone is alerted to issues and concerns with the Sharpie Markers, but apparently no one questioned their extensive use on Election Day.		'''Deviation:''' The email seeks to ensure everyone is passing out Sharpie Markers contrary to the ballot instructions. Everyone is alerted to issues and concerns with the Sharpie Markers, but apparently no one questioned their extensive use on Election Day.

	'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training~~. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management~~. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, ~~who~~ would ~~have been unlikely to know the~~ line management.		'''Notable Observation''': This email message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers. It seems odd that a staff management position (i.e., Training) would be communicating a line management decision, or what should be a line management decision.

	==== Investigation of 2022 Anomalies Revisits Sharpie Markers ====		==== Investigation of 2022 Anomalies Revisits Sharpie Markers ====

Neil thibodaux: /* Spread this Unethical Plan */

2026-09-09T22:20:46Z

Spread this Unethical Plan

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:20, 9 September 2026
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	'''Deviation''': Inspectors were the target audience of this email message. The inspectors were informed of issues and concerns with Sharpie Markers. Yet, the email asked inspectors to intentionally distribute Sharpie Pens on Election Day after issues and concerns with the use of Sharpie Pens had been identified. The very people (i.e., inspectors) that should have been ensure secure elections complied with the request to distributed Sharpie Marker to voters on Election Day, even though there were know issues with Sharpie Markers.		'''Deviation''': Inspectors were the target audience of this email message. The inspectors were informed of issues and concerns with Sharpie Markers. Yet, the email asked inspectors to intentionally distribute Sharpie Pens on Election Day after issues and concerns with the use of Sharpie Pens had been identified. The very people (i.e., inspectors) that should have been ensure secure elections complied with the request to distributed Sharpie Marker to voters on Election Day, even though there were know issues with Sharpie Markers.

	'''Deviation:''' The email seeks to ensure everyone is passing out Sharpie Markers contrary to the ballot instructions. ~~This may not be illegal~~, but ~~it appears to be unethical~~.		'''Deviation:''' The email seeks to ensure everyone is passing out Sharpie Markers contrary to the ballot instructions. Everyone is alerted to issues and concerns with the Sharpie Markers, but apparently no one questioned their extensive use on Election Day.

	'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, who would have been unlikely to know the line management.		'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, who would have been unlikely to know the line management.

Neil thibodaux: /* Later Mentioning of Sharpie Markers */

2026-09-09T22:16:08Z

Later Mentioning of Sharpie Markers

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 9 September 2026
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	'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, who would have been unlikely to know the line management.		'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, who would have been unlikely to know the line management.

	==== ~~Later Mentioning~~ of Sharpie Markers ====		==== Investigation of 2022 Anomalies Revisits Sharpie Markers ====
	The author of the [https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/82599/Maricopa-Election-Report-and-Attachments Maricopa County 2022 General Election Ballot-on-Demand Printer Investigation]asserted that the use of Sharpie Markers had no effect on the ballots. ~~Generally speaking~~, the ~~technical accuracy of~~ the ~~author's testing of printer issues was presented well~~. ~~'''IF''' the author performed Sharpie Testing to confirm their position~~ that Sharpie Markers ~~had no impact~~ on ~~the~~ ballots, ~~'''then'''~~ the ~~testing was performed~~ paper ~~stock that was asserted by~~ Maricopa County and~~/or Runbeck Elections Services~~. ~~It was doubtful that~~ the ~~specific paper used in~~ the ~~2020 General Election~~ was ~~preserved for testing~~, ~~especially if there~~ was ~~malicious intent by~~ Maricopa County ~~and/or Runbeck Election Services~~. ~~IF testing was performed~~, ~~it would have been invalidated if~~ a ~~different paper stock were~~ used.		The author of the [https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/82599/Maricopa-Election-Report-and-Attachments Maricopa County 2022 General Election Ballot-on-Demand Printer Investigation]asserted that the use of Sharpie Markers had no effect on the ballots.

			The report states, "During the 2020 general election, however, on some ballots, the ink from the “Sharpie” pens provided at the vote centers bled through the paper."

			* This report confirms that Sharpie Markers were capable of bleeding through the paper, which is likely associated with the "issues and concerns" noted by the Maricopa Leader
			* The report usage of "on some ballots" suggest an occasional problem, leaving the possibility that at least two types of paper were used, which allowed the ink to bleed through on some, but not other ballots.

			The report states, "Maricopa County preferred that voters use these pens because the ink dries quickly, as opposed to ballpoint ink, which takes more time to dry and thus can transfer onto the tabulator and cause the tabulator to reject ballots because it “reads” the transferred ink and detects it as a fault."

			* Who made the decision to use Sharpie Markers?
			* In the absence of a responsible individual, where is the documentation to demonstrate the use of Sharpie Markers was a planned change management activity to a problem with wet ink running through the tabulators?
			* Long lines apparently resulted from time spent cleaning tabulators fouled from wet ink, which was the issue Maricopa County was trying to avoid. If long lines were a problem, where is investigation documented, which confirmed ballpoint pens were the cause of long lines at the Voting centers?
			* If ballpoint pens were a valid problem, why are ballpoint pens being used today and Maricopa County has stopped distributing Sharpie Markers at the polling stations?

	==== Arizona Revised Statues ====		==== Arizona Revised Statues ====

	Arizona Revised Statue 16-449. Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual <blockquote>A. Within the period of time before the election day prescribed by the secretary of state in the instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452, <span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#FF69B4">the board of supervisors or other election officer in charge, or for an election involving state or federal candidates, the secretary of state, shall have the automatic tabulating equipment and programs tested to ascertain that the equipment and programs will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in the town, city or village using such equipment, if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be observed by at least two election inspectors, who shall not be of the same political party, and shall be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure and shall include for each office one or more ballots that have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment and programs to reject such votes. ....</span> If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment and programs are approved. A copy of a revised program shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the revision is made. If the error was created by automatic tabulating equipment malfunction, a report shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the correction is made, stating the cause and the corrective action taken. The test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the programs used and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.</blockquote>'''Question:''' Was testing performed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (or delegate) to verify the accuracy of ballots filled in with Sharpie Markers. If testing was performed on ballots using Sharpie Markers, were the test results as accurate or better than tests for ballots filled in with a ballpoint pen?		Arizona Revised Statue 16-449. Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual <blockquote>A. Within the period of time before the election day prescribed by the secretary of state in the instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452, <span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#FF69B4">the board of supervisors or other election officer in charge, or for an election involving state or federal candidates, the secretary of state, shall have the automatic tabulating equipment and programs tested to ascertain that the equipment and programs will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in the town, city or village using such equipment, if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be observed by at least two election inspectors, who shall not be of the same political party, and shall be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure and shall include for each office one or more ballots that have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment and programs to reject such votes. ....</span> If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment and programs are approved. A copy of a revised program shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the revision is made. If the error was created by automatic tabulating equipment malfunction, a report shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the correction is made, stating the cause and the corrective action taken. The test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the programs used and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.</blockquote>'''Question:''' Was testing performed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (or delegate) to verify the accuracy of ballots filled in with Sharpie Markers. If testing was performed on ballots using ''Sharpie Markers'', were the test results as accurate or better than tests for ballots filled in with a ballpoint pen, and most importantly, was it documented specifically for Sharpie Markers, on all paper types, for all tabulators?

	~~'''Answer:''' Testing was not performed.~~ <u>If</u> testing had demonstrated the appropriate accuracy, <u>then</u> test results would have most certainly been presented to the "Conspiracy Theorist" as evidence of their wrongful thinking. ~~Instead, "Constitutionalist" asks Maricopa County leadership to comply with laws, such as A.R.S. 16-449 and respect the questions of their constituents.~~		<u>If</u> testing had demonstrated the appropriate accuracy prior to the election, <u>then</u> test results would have most certainly been presented to the "Conspiracy Theorist" as evidence of their wrongful thinking.

	==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====		==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====

Neil thibodaux: /* People are Starting to Figure this Out! */

2026-09-09T21:39:06Z

People are Starting to Figure this Out!

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:39, 9 September 2026
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	Please message this to your Inspectors and ensure they cascade this change down to everyone on the Board.		Please message this to your Inspectors and ensure they cascade this change down to everyone on the Board.

	=== Reasonable Interpretations~~; No Conspiracy Theories~~ ===		=== Reasonable Interpretations ===
	By way of background, Maricopa County ~~ballots~~ had ~~always directed voters to use~~ <u>~~black or blue~~ ballpoin</u>t pens ~~when making their selections on~~ the ~~ballot~~. The 2020 ballots included ~~these~~ instructions.		By way of background, Maricopa County voting centers had distributed black or blue <u>ballpoin</u>t pens to voters prior to the 2020 General Election. The 2020 ballots included instruction for blue or black ink. The instructions did not specify ballpoint pens or prevent the use of Sharpie Markers.

	'''Deviation:''' ~~Contrary to these ballot instructions~~, voters were given ''Sharpie Markers'' by voter center personnel and told to use them when filling in the ballot.		'''Deviation:''' At the beginning of early in-person voting, voters were given ''Sharpie Markers'' by voter center personnel and told to use them when filling in the ballot. This was contrary to past practice. There was no documentation of an evaluation to address a problem ballpoint pens, which required the use Sharpie Markers as a solution.

	~~My neighbors attested~~ to ~~being given~~ a Sharpie ~~Marker to fill in the ballot on election day~~.

	==== People are Starting to Figure this Out! ====		==== People are Starting to Figure this Out! ====
	As of October 22, 2020, the Maricopa County Leadership is alerting people ~~that~~ issues ~~with "~~Sharpie Markers~~" has been identified~~. ~~Stop using Sharpie Markers.~~		As of October 22, 2020, the Maricopa County Leadership is alerting people of issues and concerns about the use of Sharpie Markers. The direction is given to stop using Sharpie Markers.

	~~'''Stop~~ using Sharpie Markers ~~is excellent advice''' if there are known issues with their use, which is acknowledged in the email~~.

	'''~~Unfortunately,~~''' ~~Maricopa County Leadership disregard a~~ known ~~issue~~ and ~~decided to insert a known issue at a more opportune time, which is November 3~~, the ~~Election Day, when in-person voting turnout is at its highest~~.		'''Stop using Sharpie Markers is excellent advice''' if there are known issues with their use that had been discovered and Sharpie Markers had never been used before. Plus, there was no requirement for their continued use. Excellent immediate action; stop in the face of uncertainty.

	'''~~Deviation:~~''' ~~Directing in-person voters~~ to ~~use~~ Sharpie Markers ~~instead of ballpoint pens conflicts with~~ the ~~instructions~~ on the ~~ballot~~, ~~which specifically directs~~ the ~~use of ballpoint pens~~.		'''Unfortunately,''' the same Maricopa County leader that directed staff to stop using Sharpie Markers, disregarded a known issue. In the same email, the leader decided to insert a "known issue" on November 3, the Election Day, when in-person voting turnout is at its highest. Was the leader masking a known problem, waiting to reinsert a known problem into the voting process at a more opportune time? Why address a problem with a solution only to ignore the solution later.

	'''Deviation:''' Maricopa County Leadership <u>directed the use of ''Sharpie Markers'' on Election Day</u> contrary to their acknowledgement of issues arising from the use of Sharpie Markers, which had occurred prior to October 22, 2020.		'''Deviation:''' Maricopa County Leadership <u>directed the use of ''Sharpie Markers'' on Election Day</u> contrary to their acknowledgement of issues arising from the use of Sharpie Markers, which had occurred prior to October 22, 2020.
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	From the online Cambridge dictionary, one of the definitions of inspector is "someone whose job is to officially inspect something, for example, a factory or building, in order to check that everything is <u>correct and legal</u><u>.</u> [Emphasis added by ACV]		From the online Cambridge dictionary, one of the definitions of inspector is "someone whose job is to officially inspect something, for example, a factory or building, in order to check that everything is <u>correct and legal</u><u>.</u> [Emphasis added by ACV]

	'''Deviation''': Inspectors were the target audience of this email message. The email asked inspectors to intentionally distribute Sharpie Pens on Election Day ~~in the same email that had also acknowledgeed there are~~ issues with the use of Sharpie Pens ~~on ballots prior to October 22, 2020~~. The very people (i.e., inspectors) that should have been ~~directing compliance~~ with the ~~ballot instructions the use of ball point pens were being told~~ to ~~violate ballot instructions by ensuring poll workers~~ distributed Sharpie Marker to voters on Election Day, even though there were know issues with Sharpie Markers.		'''Deviation''': Inspectors were the target audience of this email message. The inspectors were informed of issues and concerns with Sharpie Markers. Yet, the email asked inspectors to intentionally distribute Sharpie Pens on Election Day after issues and concerns with the use of Sharpie Pens had been identified. The very people (i.e., inspectors) that should have been ensure secure elections complied with the request to distributed Sharpie Marker to voters on Election Day, even though there were know issues with Sharpie Markers.

	'''Deviation:''' The email seeks to ensure everyone is passing out Sharpie Markers contrary to the ballot instructions. This may not be illegal, but it appears to be unethical.		'''Deviation:''' The email seeks to ensure everyone is passing out Sharpie Markers contrary to the ballot instructions. This may not be illegal, but it appears to be unethical.
Line 67:		Line 63:
	'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, who would have been unlikely to know the line management.		'''Notable Observation''': This message was delivered by the Elections Department Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training. Ordinarily, this position would not be considered a line position; Recruitment and Training would be supporting line management. In this case, numerous temporary workers are hired for a short period of time, for the single purpose of supporting an election. The Assistant Director for Recruitment and Training would have been more influential to newly hired temporary workers, who would have been unlikely to know the line management.

	~~'''Note:'''~~ The author of the [https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/82599/Maricopa-Election-Report-and-Attachments Maricopa County 2022 General Election Ballot-on-Demand Printer Investigation]asserted that the use of Sharpie Markers had no effect on the ballots. Generally speaking, the technical accuracy of the author's testing of printer issues was presented well. '''IF''' the author performed Sharpie Testing to confirm their position that Sharpie Markers had no impact on the ballots, '''then''' the testing was performed paper stock that was asserted by Maricopa County and/or Runbeck Elections Services. It was doubtful that the specific paper used in the 2020 General Election was preserved for testing, especially if there was malicious intent by Maricopa County and/or Runbeck Election Services. IF testing was performed, it would have been invalidated if a different paper stock were used.		==== Later Mentioning of Sharpie Markers ====
			The author of the [https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/82599/Maricopa-Election-Report-and-Attachments Maricopa County 2022 General Election Ballot-on-Demand Printer Investigation]asserted that the use of Sharpie Markers had no effect on the ballots. Generally speaking, the technical accuracy of the author's testing of printer issues was presented well. '''IF''' the author performed Sharpie Testing to confirm their position that Sharpie Markers had no impact on the ballots, '''then''' the testing was performed paper stock that was asserted by Maricopa County and/or Runbeck Elections Services. It was doubtful that the specific paper used in the 2020 General Election was preserved for testing, especially if there was malicious intent by Maricopa County and/or Runbeck Election Services. IF testing was performed, it would have been invalidated if a different paper stock were used.

	==== Arizona Revised Statues ====		==== Arizona Revised Statues ====

Neil thibodaux: /* What in this email? */

2026-09-07T18:34:20Z

What in this email?

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:34, 7 September 2026
Line 25:		Line 25:
	The email begins with Kelly Dixon's thanks to Troubleshooters.		The email begins with Kelly Dixon's thanks to Troubleshooters.

	Then the ~~contents get~~ interesting.		Then, the email content gets interesting.

	==== Sharpie Pen Isssues known before Election Day ====		==== Sharpie Pen Isssues known before Election Day ====

Neil thibodaux: /* People are Starting to Figure this Out! */

2026-09-07T18:20:37Z

People are Starting to Figure this Out!

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 7 September 2026
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	Something more interesting than another report was found. Email from Maricopa County leadership directs the use of "Sharpie Markers" on Election day! Why?		Something more interesting than another report was found. Email from Maricopa County leadership directs the use of "Sharpie Markers" on Election day! Why?

	The email was obtained from an internet-based news agency ~~but appears authentic~~. The news article was disregarded as being biased. However, the actual email was raw data from which we could assess Maricopa County governance practices.		The email was obtained from an internet-based news agency, ''The Gateway Pundit.'' The news article was disregarded as being biased. However, the actual Maricopa.gov email was raw data from which we could assess Maricopa County governance practices.

	=== The Email ===		=== The Email ===
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	'''Stop using Sharpie Markers is excellent advice''' if there are known issues with their use, which is acknowledged in the email.		'''Stop using Sharpie Markers is excellent advice''' if there are known issues with their use, which is acknowledged in the email.

	Unfortunately, Maricopa County Leadership disregard a known issue and decided to insert a known issue at a more opportune time, which is November 3, the Election Day, when in person voting turnout is at its highest.		'''Unfortunately,''' Maricopa County Leadership disregard a known issue and decided to insert a known issue at a more opportune time, which is November 3, the Election Day, when in-person voting turnout is at its highest.

			'''Deviation:''' Directing in-person voters to use Sharpie Markers instead of ballpoint pens conflicts with the instructions on the ballot, which specifically directs the use of ballpoint pens.

	'''Deviation:''' Maricopa County Leadership <u>directed the use of ''Sharpie Markers'' on Election Day</u> contrary to their acknowledgement of issues arising from the use of Sharpie Markers, which had occurred prior to October 22, 2020.		'''Deviation:''' Maricopa County Leadership <u>directed the use of ''Sharpie Markers'' on Election Day</u> contrary to their acknowledgement of issues arising from the use of Sharpie Markers, which had occurred prior to October 22, 2020.

Neil thibodaux: /* Notable Relationship of these Observations to Signature Verification */

2026-09-07T18:06:21Z

Notable Relationship of these Observations to Signature Verification

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:06, 7 September 2026
Line 69:		Line 69:
	==== Arizona Revised Statues ====		==== Arizona Revised Statues ====

	Arizona Revised Statue 16-449. Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual <blockquote>A. Within the period of time before the election day prescribed by the secretary of state in the instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452, <span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#FF69B4">the board of supervisors or other election officer in charge, or for an election involving state or federal candidates, the secretary of state, shall have the automatic tabulating equipment and programs tested to ascertain that the equipment and programs will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in the town, city or village using such equipment, if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be observed by at least two election inspectors, who shall not be of the same political party, and shall be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure and shall include for each office one or more ballots that have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment and programs to reject such votes. ....</span> If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment and programs are approved. A copy of a revised program shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the revision is made. If the error was created by automatic tabulating equipment malfunction, a report shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the correction is made, stating the cause and the corrective action taken. The test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the programs used and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.</blockquote>'''Question:''' Was testing performed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (or delegate) to verify the accuracy of ballots filled in with Sharpie Markers was as accurate or ~~achieved a~~ better ~~accuracy~~ than tests for ballots filled in with a ballpoint pen?		Arizona Revised Statue 16-449. Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual <blockquote>A. Within the period of time before the election day prescribed by the secretary of state in the instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452, <span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#FF69B4">the board of supervisors or other election officer in charge, or for an election involving state or federal candidates, the secretary of state, shall have the automatic tabulating equipment and programs tested to ascertain that the equipment and programs will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in the town, city or village using such equipment, if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be observed by at least two election inspectors, who shall not be of the same political party, and shall be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure and shall include for each office one or more ballots that have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment and programs to reject such votes. ....</span> If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment and programs are approved. A copy of a revised program shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the revision is made. If the error was created by automatic tabulating equipment malfunction, a report shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the correction is made, stating the cause and the corrective action taken. The test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the programs used and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.</blockquote>'''Question:''' Was testing performed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (or delegate) to verify the accuracy of ballots filled in with Sharpie Markers. If testing was performed on ballots using Sharpie Markers, were the test results as accurate or better than tests for ballots filled in with a ballpoint pen?

			'''Answer:''' Testing was not performed. <u>If</u> testing had demonstrated the appropriate accuracy, <u>then</u> test results would have most certainly been presented to the "Conspiracy Theorist" as evidence of their wrongful thinking. Instead, "Constitutionalist" asks Maricopa County leadership to comply with laws, such as A.R.S. 16-449 and respect the questions of their constituents.

	==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====		==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====
	This email was distributed by the Assistant Director, Recruitment and Training for the Elections Department.		This email was distributed by the Assistant Director, Recruitment and Training for the Elections Department.

Neil thibodaux: /* Notable Relationship of these Observations to Signature Verification */

2026-09-07T17:55:12Z

Notable Relationship of these Observations to Signature Verification

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:55, 7 September 2026
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	==== Arizona Revised Statues ====		==== Arizona Revised Statues ====

	Arizona Revised Statue 16-449. Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual <blockquote>A. Within the period of time before the election day prescribed by the secretary of state in the instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452, <span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#FF69B4">the board of supervisors or other election officer in charge, or for an election involving state or federal candidates, the secretary of state, shall have the automatic tabulating equipment and programs tested to ascertain that the equipment and programs will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in the town, city or village using such equipment, if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be observed by at least two election inspectors, who shall not be of the same political party, and shall be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure and shall include for each office one or more ballots that have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment and programs to reject such votes. ....</span> If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment and programs are approved. A copy of a revised program shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the revision is made. If the error was created by automatic tabulating equipment malfunction, a report shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the correction is made, stating the cause and the corrective action taken. The test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the programs used and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.		Arizona Revised Statue 16-449. Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual <blockquote>A. Within the period of time before the election day prescribed by the secretary of state in the instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452, <span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#FF69B4">the board of supervisors or other election officer in charge, or for an election involving state or federal candidates, the secretary of state, shall have the automatic tabulating equipment and programs tested to ascertain that the equipment and programs will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in the town, city or village using such equipment, if a newspaper is published therein, otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be observed by at least two election inspectors, who shall not be of the same political party, and shall be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. The test shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots so marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure and shall include for each office one or more ballots that have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the automatic tabulating equipment and programs to reject such votes. ....</span> If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made before the automatic tabulating equipment and programs are approved. A copy of a revised program shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the revision is made. If the error was created by automatic tabulating equipment malfunction, a report shall be filed with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the correction is made, stating the cause and the corrective action taken. The test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballots in the same manner as set forth above. After the completion of the count, the programs used and the ballots shall be sealed, retained and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.</blockquote>'''Question:''' Was testing performed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (or delegate) to verify the accuracy of ballots filled in with Sharpie Markers was as accurate or achieved a better accuracy than tests for ballots filled in with a ballpoint pen?

	B. Electronic ballot tabulating systems shall be tested for logic and accuracy within seven days before their use for early balloting pursuant to the instructions and procedures manual for electronic voting systems that is adopted by the secretary of state as prescribed by section 16-452. The instructions and procedures manual shall include procedures for the handling of ballots, the electronic scanning of ballots and any other matters necessary to ensure the maximum degree of correctness, impartiality and uniformity in the administration of an electronic ballot tabulating system.

	C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B of this section, if a county uses accessible voting equipment to mark ballots and that accessible voting equipment does not independently tabulate or tally votes, the secretary of state in cooperation with the county officer in charge of elections may designate a single date to test the logic and accuracy of both the accessible voting equipment and electronic ballot tabulating systems.</blockquote>'''Question:''' Was testing performed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (or delegate) to verify the accuracy of ballots filled in with Sharpie Markers was as accurate or achieved a better accuracy than tests for ballots filled in with a ballpoint pen?
	==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====		==== Notable Relationship of these Observations to [[Signature Verification]] ====
	This email was distributed by the Assistant Director, Recruitment and Training for the Elections Department.		This email was distributed by the Assistant Director, Recruitment and Training for the Elections Department.