November 2022: Mid-term Election

I have never interfaced with Katie Hobbs, but her actions left me pondering her influence over the November 2024 midterm elections. Katie Hobbs ran for and was elected governor in 2024. She ran for Arizona Governor while she was Arizona Secretary of State. This would appear to exclude Governor Hobbs as have any influence over Maricopa County governance. However, there is some overlap in the election process between her role as the Arizona Secretary of State and Maricopa County’s implementation of the elections process.

According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s website, the office's primary duty is described as follows:

“The highest profile duty of the office is oversight and administration of secure and accurate elections. The Secretary of State serves as Chief Election Officer for the State. One of the goals of the office is to register more voters and encourage their active participation in elections. As part of elections administration, the office certifies: voting devices, election results, candidates and measures to the ballot, as well as the results of statewide elections." 

While there may have been no statute or policy to prevent Katie Hobbs from managing the election process for her own election, the situation suggests an ethical question. You might be surprised to learn how this issue isn’t about Katie; it’s about how her behaviors may have influenced other government employees.

Jamie's Timeline

1. 2020: General Election Anomalies — Maricopa County has numerous election anaomalies
2. 2021: My Journey Begins — Starting to ask questions about lessons learned
3. November 2022: Mid-term Election — The Katie Hobbs oversaw her own election
4. December 2024: Gaining Support — [My action; no governance gaps]
5. April 15, 2025: Public Records Request — Public Records Request process
6. May 15, 2025: Let’s Play Hot Potato — Public Records Request runaround
7. November 20, 2025: Debbie Lesko Presentation - Explains Recent Lost Ballots
8. December 1, 2025: Special Complaint File with Court - [My action; no governance gaps]
9. February ???: Plaintiff's Briefing - [My action; no governance gaps]
10. March 12, 2026: Maricopa County Defense Briefing - Maricopa County Legal Team's Defense Brief
11. April 3,, 2026, Plaintiff's Response to the Defense Briefing - [My action; no governance gaps]
12. June 1, 2026: Judge's Decision - Judge Rules in Favor of the County [Judge's action; no governance gaps]
13. June 8, 2026: Maricopa County's Ombudsman - Ombudsman by Title without Ombudsman Independence
14. August 3, 2026: Submitted Complaint — Formal complaint submitted
15. August ??, 2026: Maricopa County Responds to My Complaint - ???

Notable Governance Observations

There was news coverage about the ethics associated with Katie Hobbs overseeing her own 2024 candidacy for Arizona Governor while serving as the Arizona Secretary of State. It is for this reason, Principle 1 – Demonstrate Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Values was considered relevant from a governance perspective. Granted, Katy Hobb's was the Arizona Secretary of State and was not serving as an officer for Maricopa County. However, the Maricopa County reported to the Arizona Secretary of State, who was responsible for elections conducted within Arizona.

Principle 2 - Exercise Oversight Responsibility was also relevant given Katie Hobbs' oversight role for elections in all Arizona counties, including Maricopa County.

Potential Governance Gap(s):

• Principle 1 - Demonstrate Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Values
  • Attribute(s): 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.07, 1.09
• Principle 2 - Exercise Oversight Responsibility
  • Attribute(s):