Phoenix, AZ— Democracy Defense Project Arizona board members Governor Jan Brewer, Congressman Matt Salmon, former State Rep. Daniel Hernandez and Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines issued the following statement regarding recent comments made by President Trump to “nationalize” elections:

“In a few months, primary elections will begin across the country as voters assess the candidacy of leaders from all levels of government. Here in Arizona, we have been committed to protecting voter access and the integrity of our elections in the wake of the rampant misinformation that was spread during the 2020 and 2022 elections.

“Our elections are decentralized by design with the U.S. Constitution expressly delegating this authority to states, allowing local jurisdictions to operate in a manner that best meets the unique needs of their voters. The tenants of decentralizing control from the federal government and giving authority back to the states was a central pillar of the framer’s vision. President Reagan also articulated this point in his vision for America and it has become a longstanding principle for Republican and Democratic leaders alike. Creating a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to elections determined and controlled by the federal government is short-sighted and more susceptible for fraud and abuse.

“County leaders that oversee and administer elections in Arizona are experts at their craft who understand their local communities and implement voting processes in the best interest of voters. Eliminating local control would create mass confusion and chaos to a system that works extremely well.

“We urge leaders to focus their attention on making our system more efficient, transparent, and secure for the 2026 elections.”

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