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=== Arizona Citizen Voice ===
'''Arizona Citizen Voice''' (ACV) is an independent volunteer organization asking our Arizona Senators and Representatives to take action on behalf of Arizona's citizens to pass legislation in 2027 to hold Arizona counties accountable to citizen complaints about poor governance. 


[[Media:Website Topical Navigation.pdf]]
The centerpiece of this legislative action is to create ''county-based'' Ombudsman-Citizen Aide that is modeled after and overseen by the existing [https://www.azoca.gov/ Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide] Legislative Agency to ensure consistency across all Arizona counties. New statutes are also needed to force Arizona counties to develop and maintain documentation of its internal control systems to a standard created and maintained by the [https://www.gao.gov/ United States Government Accountability Office].


=== Vision ===
We are not trying to ''fight city hall'' as the expression goes. We are asking Arizona counties to listen to their citizens, respectfully consider their concerns and take action to fix issues when citizens' concerns are validated. We don't want a fight; we want to be heard.
An Arizona citizen can easily submit a governance concern to their County Officials and receive timely feedback and a description of corrective actions taken or to be taken, if applicable.  
=== Purpose ===
The purpose of this website is to ask for your support in resolving governance gaps at the county level by telling your Arizona Senator and Representatives to pass legislation, which will require Counties listen to their citizens with a formal complaint and resolution process.


=== Resolution of Governance Gaps ===
From a citizen's perspective, this is a bipartisan issue. The proposal doesn't favor one party over the other. The proposal's sole purpose is to give each citizen equal standing to be heard when they have felt unfairly treated by county government. Watch [[Five Paper Trails|'''Our Video''']] to learn about the problem we are trying to solve. Read our '''[[Interesting Takeaways]]''' if you want to seek specific examples of poor governance.  
An Arizona citizen may have a concern about the County's compliance with the laws, statutes or an apparent deviation from good business practices, which might waste or abuse the resources taken from the public in exchange for public services. A citizen's concerned should be addressed by Arizona County employees following a defined process to assess the validity and significance of the citizen's concern so they determine if the issue must be address and determine how the issue will be addressed, if necessary.


Arizona Citizen Voice is working toward legislation establishing a citizen complaint, compliance review, and corrective action process for Arizona counties.
ACV is an all-volunteer organization. We do not receive funds from any outside entity. We certainly don't have any funds to be lobbying through normal channels.  
=== Objective ===
Present a proposed bill to the Arizona Legislature by December 2026, which will create a new statute or revise an old statute to hold Arizona counties accountable to give citizens a stronger voice. The bill allows citizens to file complaints with the Counties, which will be addressed or resolved by a Compliance Review and Corrective Action Framework. This bill promotes transparency, accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement while strengthening public confidence in local/county/state government.  


=== Arizona Citizen Voice ===
We've layered our presentation so that you don't have to read every page of our website to understand our mission. Some of you may have already felt an injustice from your personal interactions with your County. You have seen firsthand how their actions or inaction can cause harm and can't get answers when they are desperately needed. If you're in that boat, you're ready to jump into action and this will be a short read.    
'''Arizona Citizen Voice''' (ACV) is an independent organization trying to get Arizona Senators and Representatives to take action on behalf of all of Arizona's citizens, passing legislation in 2027 to hold Arizona Counties accountable to valid citizen complaints.  


This is an all-volunteer organization. We do not receive funds from any outside entity. Please check out the [[About Us]] webpage if you would like to learn more.
If you're a "Doubting Thomas," we have data to satisfy your skepticism. That said, you're going to be disappointed if you're expecting a legal argument proving there is a governance problem beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, we will trend examples of poor governance, so patterns of poor management decisions reveal themselves as issues in need of a legislative intervention.    


We seek to implement is a process that each Arizona County must implement to receive complaints from its citizens about inefficiencies or abuses of County governance, which will be tracked and addressed from a compliance perspective. Significant concerns may require investigation whereas some complaints may be closed without action if county actions are considered appropriate. The most significant aspect of this initiative is to hold a specific county employee responsible for addressing the citizen's complaint, assessing compliance and managing a response. An Arizona State department or agency will provide independent oversight to ensure the process is consistently applied across all counties with the intended results.  
The raw data comes from citizen interfaces with the county and government reports. Interestingly, we found examples of poor governance in government investigations of election-related anomalies. For example, procedures intended to ensure compliance with the Arizona Revised Statutes were violated as determined by an inspector for the [https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/2020_General_Election_Investigation_Summary.pdf Arizona Attorney General's Office 2020 General Election Investigation]. The investigation found numerous anomalies, but no malicious or criminal intent. Basically, the Arizona Attorney General's investigation left a trail of incompetence (poor governance) as the reason for deviating from legal requirements. As would be expected in a criminal investigation, compliance with the law was more important than doing the <u>right thing</u>. Therefore, they left breadcrumbs of poor governance examples in their effort to show compliance with the law.    
=== Governance Gap Video ===
A short seven-minute video was developed to help you understand our motivation for seeking a change to the Arizona Revised Statute to hold Arizona Counties accountable to you, an Arizona citizen.{{#ev:youtube|rNILRNN4phE|alignment=center}}


=== Proposed Solution ===
We chose to present information in the Wiki format because of its use of hyperlinks. These hyperlinks will allow you to learn more according to your personal areas of interest. Please heed our warning: you may get lost in the data so use the organization of topics in the left margin to help you navigate through the abundance of data. Use the left margin as you would a directory in a shopping mall. The organization of topics will help you find where you are in the data and where you want to go.  
There is already a citizen complaint process established with Title 11, which defines statutory requirements for Counties. Citizen complaints are currently addressed by [https://www.azleg.gov/ars/11/01608.htm A.R.S. 11-1608. Complaints; procedures.]By the way, if you have a complaint, you may be better off finding a lawyer than filing a complaint with the County based this paragraph from the statute, "Any facts relevant to, and the '''legal basis''' for, the complaint." [Emphasis added] Citizens can observe deviations from good business practices and good governance without having knowledge of the legal basis.  


There is a precedence for having statutory requirements to allow a citizen to complain to their county. The goal is to change Arizona statutes to create a process for addressing citizen complaints and ensure counties are following the process by having process oversight by an independent state government entity.  
=== Navigational Guide ===
The following diagram will help you determine how far you want to go to understand the issues and the proposed solution.


The process would consist of the following key steps:
----[[File:Home Page Directory Rev1.jpg|thumb|612x612px|left]]'''<big>[[Arizona Citizen Voice Goal|Arizona Citizen Voice GOAL]]</big>'''


# Citizen, organization or county employee may submit a complaint (or concern) by accessing a page on the County's website
Click here to learn more about the GOAL.
# The county assigns a tracking number and then reviews the concern to assess risk and significance from compliance and/or poor governance perspectives.
----'''<big>[[Legislative Action]]</big>'''
# The cause of a deviation from laws, procedures or good governance is concerned, if necessary.
# Corrective Action Plan to address the causes of deviations
# The original issue may be closed out after the appropriate corrective actions have been implemented, if necessary, and the citizen has been informed of County's response, which may include no action if the concern cannot be validated or description of completed actions to address their concern.


=== Start Your Journey of Discovery ===
Click here to learn more about what we are asking of our Legislators.
This website draws attention to poor governance practices so that you can make an informed decision. Should I support proposed legislation to hold Arizona Counties accountable to its citizens?
----'''<big>[[Public Support]]</big>'''


Key webpages for exploring the Case-for-Action justification are presented in a hyperlink box in the left margin at the top of the page. Key pages are listed under the Navigation and Topic headers.
Click here to learn how you can help.
----


* Navigation
<small>.</small>
** '''Home -''' is this page.
** '''[[The Story]]''' - is Jamie's Story. It explains how she identified governance gaps while trying to learn what Maricopa County was doing to implement corrective actions to all of the election-related anomalies that began being reported in the news in 2020.
** '''[[The Anomalies]]''' - are an ad-hoc collection of documents, mostly government documents, which identify governance gaps in reports addressing election-related anomalies in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
** '''[[Fraud Flow Diagrams|Fraud Flow]]''' - explains how fraud may occur so readers may understand why these election-related anomalies were investigated; some election-related anomalies address actual fraudulent activities while other anomalies address poor governance practices, which may compromise the integrity of election-related process that are intended to prevent or detect fraudulent acts.
** '''[[Governance Analysis]]''' - is fundamentally an organizational common cause analysis, seeking to assess recurring indications of governance gaps. The trend was created by comparing causal factors to election-related anomalies to a standard. The U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) [https://guides.gaoinnovations.gov/greenbook/2025/principle-1-demonstrate-commitment-to-integrity-and-ethical-values/ Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government](a.k.a. Green Book) was chosen as the standard. Arizona Counties are not obligated to adhere to these standards. Nonetheless, these were selected as the ideal standards, which would reflect good governance, could be applied to counties and are already established by an authoritative government entity, the GAO.
** '''[[Index of Attributes|Attribute Index]]''' - is a short-cut a specific Component, Principle or Attribute contained within the Green Book.


* Topics
.
** '''Complaint Process''' - To be developed
----
** '''Corrective Action Plans''' - To be deveped
** '''[[About the Green Book|US GAO's Green Book]]''' - explains purpose and content of the Green Book.
** '''[[Acronyms & Definitions]]''' - lists acronyms and definitions. We have attempted to identify acronyms on each webpage; the list of acronyms will be helpful if we missed the explanation of an acronym on a web page. Definitions are provided to ensure clarity for use in this assessment.


=== Join the Cause ===
<big>'''[[Proposed Bill]]'''</big> - To be developed.
----<big>'''[[Standard for Good Governance|Standard for Good]]'''</big> - Read Federal Standards for Government.
----
'''<big>[[Governance Gaps]]</big>''' - that we identified in our assessment.
----'''<big>[[Poor Governance Examples]]</big>''' - See how we identified the Governance Gaps
----.
----
----Visit '''<big>[[Navigational Details]]</big>''' for additional website information.


Your voice is important. Abraham Lincoln made these remarks in this Gettysburg Address:<blockquote>''"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."''</blockquote>You may be able to help me with a case for action. I need justification to gain legislative support for a new Arizona law that will establish a process to review citizen complaints for governance gaps and implement corrective actions when appropriate. The problem becomes more significant with more examples.  How can you help? <blockquote>Send me details about a frustrating encounter with your county government. With your consent, I would use your unpleasant experience as data in support of a case for action. Your help will be needed to ensure your governance gap is a deviation from a standard. If you dive into this website, you will gain knowledge of the standards for good governance.  </blockquote>
=== Governance Gap Video ===
You can help keep this idea in front of your Arizona Senator and Representatives. How can you help?<blockquote>
A short seven-minute video was developed to help you understand our motivation for seeking a change to the Arizona Revised Statutes to hold Arizona counties accountable to you, an Arizona citizen.{{#ev:youtube|rNILRNN4phE|alignment=center}}
Following the November 2026 election, send your Senator and Representatives a message. Tell them you want to hold County government accountable to its Citizens. Ask them to support the proposed Bill.</blockquote>The effort to get the bill approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor is being delayed until after the November 2026 election to allow you to vote for the candidates that you feel will support this effort. The delay will give us some time to draft the bill. The sense of urgency begins after the elections because the Legislature begins their annual review of Legislative initiatives in January 2027.


=== Our Prayer ===
=== '''Our Prayer''' ===


Some citizens feel that we are in a battle with our own government. It's a battle of words, not a physical battle. It's not a yelling match; we seek words that spark curiosity and thoughtful consideration. ACV adopted this prayer in an effort receive God's guidance. We, you and all of us need to find the right words, said at the right time, to allow others to see how the proposed bill serves both citizens and government. It is a desire to promote positive outcomes from a freedom to exchange ideas. <blockquote>''Lord, we believe the County leaders and employees can be fair and just if guided towards a process that seeks to understand before judgments are made. We have felt injustice from County and believe others have had similar experiences.''  
Some citizens feel that we are in a battle with our own government. It's a battle of words, not a physical battle. It's not a yelling match; we seek words that spark curiosity and thoughtful consideration. ACV adopted this prayer in an effort to receive God’s guidance. We, you and all of us need to find the right words, said at the right time, to allow others to see how the proposed bill serves both citizens and government. It is a desire to promote positive outcomes from a freedom to exchange ideas. <blockquote>''Dear heavenly Father, you have blessed the United States of America with founding fathers that served you. You gave them the wisdom to for the first time in recorded history to create a nation for the sole purpose of serving its people. While not perfect, a government by the people and for the people has prevailed for over 250 years. With your love and grace, our nation’s laws have evolved as people’s needs have changed.''


''We are trying to be faithful to your desire for each of us to love you and love our neighbors.''  
  ''We seek your wisdom and ask for your guidance in preserving the public’s trust in Arizona County government. A citizen’s voice is meaningless unless acknowledged and addressed with respect. We envision new laws to ensure all citizen concerns are heard. Your desire for peace and love will be served by a thoughtful government response. Your desire for justice will be served when citizen input has been addressed, promoting transparency and making governance decisions that are efficient, effective, safe and benefit the majority of people.''


''We seek a process that facilitates cooperation between the State, Counties and their citizens.''  
''Please guide us towards finding the right words to justify new laws. With your grace, new laws will restore public confidence in government by ensuring citizen voices are heard. A government by the people can’t serve its people unless each voice has an opportunity to be heard. It’s a daunting change, but necessary to address our fast-paced society, where those in control may not always slow down to hear from the meek.  ''


''Please grant us the knowledge and wisdom to advance this idea with faith and humbleness. Lord, please let us choose the right words for each opportunity to share our vision with others. We pray that our goal serves you. Amen.''</blockquote>
''Heavenly Father, it is through our understanding of your desire for love and peace that we seek these new laws. Please grant us the will to carry these ideas forward to our Arizona Legislature and Governor. With devotion to you, we will be patient, place our trust in you, and accept any outcome. We pray that our vision serves you. Amen.''</blockquote>

Latest revision as of 05:51, 27 September 2026

Arizona Citizen Voice

Arizona Citizen Voice (ACV) is an independent volunteer organization asking our Arizona Senators and Representatives to take action on behalf of Arizona's citizens to pass legislation in 2027 to hold Arizona counties accountable to citizen complaints about poor governance.

The centerpiece of this legislative action is to create county-based Ombudsman-Citizen Aide that is modeled after and overseen by the existing Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide Legislative Agency to ensure consistency across all Arizona counties. New statutes are also needed to force Arizona counties to develop and maintain documentation of its internal control systems to a standard created and maintained by the United States Government Accountability Office.

We are not trying to fight city hall as the expression goes. We are asking Arizona counties to listen to their citizens, respectfully consider their concerns and take action to fix issues when citizens' concerns are validated. We don't want a fight; we want to be heard.

From a citizen's perspective, this is a bipartisan issue. The proposal doesn't favor one party over the other. The proposal's sole purpose is to give each citizen equal standing to be heard when they have felt unfairly treated by county government. Watch Our Video to learn about the problem we are trying to solve. Read our Interesting Takeaways if you want to seek specific examples of poor governance.

ACV is an all-volunteer organization. We do not receive funds from any outside entity. We certainly don't have any funds to be lobbying through normal channels.

We've layered our presentation so that you don't have to read every page of our website to understand our mission. Some of you may have already felt an injustice from your personal interactions with your County. You have seen firsthand how their actions or inaction can cause harm and can't get answers when they are desperately needed. If you're in that boat, you're ready to jump into action and this will be a short read.

If you're a "Doubting Thomas," we have data to satisfy your skepticism. That said, you're going to be disappointed if you're expecting a legal argument proving there is a governance problem beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, we will trend examples of poor governance, so patterns of poor management decisions reveal themselves as issues in need of a legislative intervention.

The raw data comes from citizen interfaces with the county and government reports. Interestingly, we found examples of poor governance in government investigations of election-related anomalies. For example, procedures intended to ensure compliance with the Arizona Revised Statutes were violated as determined by an inspector for the Arizona Attorney General's Office 2020 General Election Investigation. The investigation found numerous anomalies, but no malicious or criminal intent. Basically, the Arizona Attorney General's investigation left a trail of incompetence (poor governance) as the reason for deviating from legal requirements. As would be expected in a criminal investigation, compliance with the law was more important than doing the right thing. Therefore, they left breadcrumbs of poor governance examples in their effort to show compliance with the law.

We chose to present information in the Wiki format because of its use of hyperlinks. These hyperlinks will allow you to learn more according to your personal areas of interest. Please heed our warning: you may get lost in the data so use the organization of topics in the left margin to help you navigate through the abundance of data. Use the left margin as you would a directory in a shopping mall. The organization of topics will help you find where you are in the data and where you want to go.

The following diagram will help you determine how far you want to go to understand the issues and the proposed solution.

Arizona Citizen Voice GOAL

Click here to learn more about the GOAL.

Legislative Action

Click here to learn more about what we are asking of our Legislators.

Public Support

Click here to learn how you can help.

.

.

Proposed Bill - To be developed.

Standard for Good - Read Federal Standards for Government.

Governance Gaps - that we identified in our assessment.

Poor Governance Examples - See how we identified the Governance Gaps

.

Visit Navigational Details for additional website information.

Governance Gap Video

A short seven-minute video was developed to help you understand our motivation for seeking a change to the Arizona Revised Statutes to hold Arizona counties accountable to you, an Arizona citizen.

Load video
YouTube

Our Prayer

Some citizens feel that we are in a battle with our own government. It's a battle of words, not a physical battle. It's not a yelling match; we seek words that spark curiosity and thoughtful consideration. ACV adopted this prayer in an effort to receive God’s guidance. We, you and all of us need to find the right words, said at the right time, to allow others to see how the proposed bill serves both citizens and government. It is a desire to promote positive outcomes from a freedom to exchange ideas.

Dear heavenly Father, you have blessed the United States of America with founding fathers that served you. You gave them the wisdom to for the first time in recorded history to create a nation for the sole purpose of serving its people. While not perfect, a government by the people and for the people has prevailed for over 250 years. With your love and grace, our nation’s laws have evolved as people’s needs have changed.

We seek your wisdom and ask for your guidance in preserving the public’s trust in Arizona County government. A citizen’s voice is meaningless unless acknowledged and addressed with respect. We envision new laws to ensure all citizen concerns are heard. Your desire for peace and love will be served by a thoughtful government response. Your desire for justice will be served when citizen input has been addressed, promoting transparency and making governance decisions that are efficient, effective, safe and benefit the majority of people.

Please guide us towards finding the right words to justify new laws. With your grace, new laws will restore public confidence in government by ensuring citizen voices are heard. A government by the people can’t serve its people unless each voice has an opportunity to be heard. It’s a daunting change, but necessary to address our fast-paced society, where those in control may not always slow down to hear from the meek.  

Heavenly Father, it is through our understanding of your desire for love and peace that we seek these new laws. Please grant us the will to carry these ideas forward to our Arizona Legislature and Governor. With devotion to you, we will be patient, place our trust in you, and accept any outcome. We pray that our vision serves you. Amen.

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