League of Women Voters applauds Secretary Bennett

Letter in Arizona Republic notes cooperative effort to update election procedures

Kudos to Secretary of State Bennett

Jan. 15, 2010

This month, without much fanfare or public awareness, Ken Bennett, the secretary of state, is completing a major overhaul to the state Election Procedures Manual.

As this task is attempted every couple of years, it would not seem to call for any special recognition. However, in this time of bitter partisan divides and legislation commonly coming from closed-door meetings, Secretary Bennett made every effort to include and respect partisan groups, as well as all the statewide elections officers (of course) and several good-government groups such as our own, the League of Women Voters.

Included were informational-technology experts to explore the security and transparency of the voting system. Some folks were looking at the big picture of election methodology, while some concentrated on the minutia in the details. But the secretary managed to allow time for every point, whether in the large group or in one of the several issue-specific subcommittees.

Currently, little seems to be working well in Arizona or Maricopa County government. There is pathetically little bipartisanship (and even less multipartisanship).

Given this dysfunctional atmosphere, we feel obligated to say "kudos" to the secretary of state for a job well done.

Bonnie F. Saunders, Surprise
Barbara Klein, Scottsdale
Saunders is president and Klein is first vice president of the League of Women Voters of Arizona.