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Frequently asked questions:
What are the most important issues facing the Secretary of State? What are your top three goals for your tenure in office?
Voting reform is the most pressing issue facing the incoming Secretary of State. To ensure fair and honest balloting and invite fuller participation in elections, my first goal will be statewide adoption of a progressive 'vote by mail' ballot system.
Next, to ensure the accuracy and completeness of voter registration rolls, I will work to establish a statewide, computerized voter registration database. These steps will make it simpler for voters exercise their right to vote, and will raise the stakes for those who might abuse the system.
Lastly, I will initiate a speaking program for elementary and secondary schools (I began my working career as a public school teacher) with the hope of inspiring our children to take an interest in civics and to get involved in politics.
Should campaign contributions be required to be reported more frequently? If so, how frequently should they be reported? Should all expenses related to lobbying, including salaries, be reported?
Yes, I believe campaign contributions should be reported more frequently. Contributions of amounts greater than fifty dollars should be posted on a candidate's web-site within three days.
Public lobbyists perform a useful service by giving voice to concerns (from all points on the political spectrum) that might not otherwise be heard. However, a healthy democracy demands full disclosure. Requiring lobbyists to report all expenses, including salaries, seems reasonable to me.
How important is it to get rid of punch cards in rural Arizona? How would you do that?
We need to work closely with the county recorders to help them assess their needs. Implementation of my 'vote by mail' plan will free-up money to purchase modern optical scanners to replace the antiquated punch-card machines still in use in nine of our fifteen counties. This newer, fairer system will put voters in the rural counties on an equal footing with those who live in our cities.
Do you support Internet voting? What would you do to improve voter participation?
The internet holds great promise. However, as a voting technology, there are problems to be solved that leave us several years from a truly workable system. Aside from the difficulties with PIN numbers and identity theft, we must consider that many of our voters have no internet access or own no computer. Many others find the technology baffling. For those not weaned on computers, using a word processor can be a challenge.
One of the best things about my program is that it is simple and convenient. Everyone knows how to use a postage stamp. Voters will receive a ballot and voting guide two weeks before an election. Each voter will have plenty of time to review complex initiatives and make thoughtful choices.
'Vote by Mail' will also increase voter participation among the estimated 100 million eligible Americans who don't vote. Among these, "A quarter are people with disabilities," says Jim Dickson, vice president of the American Association of People with Disabilities. Many do not vote because many polling places are still not handicapped accessible.
Let's give everyone the opportunity to participate. My program is by no means a perfect solution, but it is a pragmatic, incremental approach that offers a significant improvement.
Should voter rolls be centralized? Why or why not? What steps should be taken to improve the accuracy of voting rolls?
Yes, I believe voter rolls should be centralized. We must establish a statewide, computerized voter registration database. I would work to secure a federal grant for this purpose. If such a grant does not materialize, I will advocate funding through legislation at the state level. The voter database would be automatically updated daily using information from the state driver licensing bureaus and county death records. This database will help keep legitimate voters in the system and improve the accuracy and completeness of the voting rolls.
Do you favor any changes to the state's public records and open meetings laws? Please explain. Would you favor amending the public records law to require public bodies that wrongfully deny access to public records pay attorneys fees and court costs?
In a democracy, it is critical that the voters hold public officials' feet to the fire. Ideally, all public records should promptly be given to the public upon request. The cost of providing these records should be borne by the governmental agency concerned and be considered a legitimate price of doing business with the public.
Open meeting laws should be strictly enforced, and actions by public officials designed to subvert the intent of the law (such as calling public meetings at inappropriate times) should be prohibited. I am inclined to support an amendment to the public records law, but only if an allowance is made for errors made in good faith.
Should the Secretary of State, the de facto Lt. Governor, pursue a more active role in state administration? What would that role be?
I would like to see the Governor and Secretary operate more closely as a domestic policy team. As a cabinet officer, the Secretary of State attends monthly cabinet meetings, and this should continue. In addition, I believe the Secretary should serve as a policy adviser to the Governor and attend all domestic policy meetings. The Secretary should also enjoy full access to the Governor as needed. These measures will help assure the public that the Secretary is 'up-to-speed' and ready to step into the Governor's chair if the need should arise.
As for creating a new Lieutenant Governor's position and having the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run together on a partisan ticket, I am not sure. I certainly do not claim to have all the answers, and intend to give the matter further study. I would encourage anyone who feels strongly about this issue to contact my campaign with your view. I would appreciate hearing from you.
The Secretary of State's office often is seen as a holding station for aspirants for other office. Why are you running for this office?
I am running for Secretary of State because I believe there is important work to be done (most notably election reform) and that I am well suited for that work by virtue of my experience and temperament. I have been an effective and hard-working administrator, in the both the public and private sectors, for over 20 years. During that time, I have demonstrated an ability to make tough decisions and to work effectively and well with others (even when we disagree strongly on issues). I hope to draw on these skills and experiences while shepherding my reform proposals through the approval process.
It has been my privilege to represent two Governors these last several years while serving the citizens of this great state. On occasion, I have had the opportunity and honor to speak with you on their behalf. I ask you now to do me the honor of selecting me as your next Secretary of State. I pledge to work every day to justify your trust and faith in me.
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