Tensions rise on Senate floor as more election bills get voted down

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Tensions have reached a new high in the Arizona Senate this week upon the failure of more Republican-led election bills.

It was the third time in a week that a group of election bills died amid opposition from one or two Republicans and all Democrats, leaving them short of a majority.

Many of the bills voted down included creating criminal penalties for missteps by election officials that stem from Senate Republicans’ 2020 election review.

Among the bills killed Monday were measures that would have created new criminal charges for a variety of missteps by election workers and contractors; created new rights for election observers, including the right to question election officials during counting; set new requirements for post-election audits and recordkeeping; required a unique serial number on each ballot.

They also voted down a bill requiring the public posting of registered voters and images of all ballot without linking ballot images to the voters who cast them.

The bills could be revived before the end of the legislative session if opponents change their minds.