Governor, Secretary Of State Spar Over Election Changes

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs are sparring over an effort by Hobbs to introduce telephone and videoconferencing options for people to register and vote in certain circumstances.

Ducey and some county election officials say the changes Hobbs seeks are illegal. Hobbs says the procedures are new but legal, and they're necessary to ensure voters aren't disenfranchised during the pandemic. Hobbs has told county recorders to help voters who are in the hospital, a nursing home or assisted living facility cast their ballots via videoconferencing. She also said people who call a hotline looking to submit a voter registration form before the Oct. 5 deadline should be allowed to finish registering after the deadline.