Valley Interfaith Project and Arizona Interfaith Network Statement
on Unwarranted Electoral Provocation
Nov 5, 2020
The Arizona Interfaith Network strongly denounces last evening’s attempt to interfere with the ballot counting in Phoenix and calls upon all candidates and public officials to do likewise. We must allow our election officials to do their job to tabulate the vote and ensure that every vote is counted. Partisanship and extremism must not contaminate the tabulation process.
We recognize the frustration and nervousness felt by many with a prolonged ballot count, and we wholeheartedly support First Amendment rights to peacefully gather and to exercise free speech. However, that is different from making threats and intimidating election workers.
The unwarranted provocation, aided and abetted by fringe group extremists, is an affront to the democratic process. The belligerent tone of the gathering clearly was intended to intimidate election officials and observers, creating an unsettled atmosphere and perhaps sanctioning future uprisings and potential violence.
Last evening’s display in no way represents the views of the majority of Arizonans, and the extremists' efforts to undermine an orderly and professionally run election are an insult to all who are waiting to trust the results. As we have written previously, it was common knowledge that the vote count could require several days of tabulation post-election to ensure that all votes are counted. We must be patient and allow elections officials to do their job.
We commend state and county election officials who are performing admirably and professionally in the face of a large voter turnout and in the midst of the pandemic. As well, we recognize the critical efforts of our law enforcement officials who are working to ensure the safety of all involved.
At this moment when the national spotlight is on our state, Arizona should be an example of how to conduct ourselves civilly and with decency.
Read the entry in the azcentral elections blog / PDF linked here.