(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Partisan Verification Program Is Cancelled. The Fight Isn’t Over. [1] ['Chitown Kev', 'Belinda Ridgewood'] Date: 2026-06-18 We won a policy fight. Now we have to make sure every ballot still counts. We have good news to share. The Navajo County Recorder’s Office has cancelled its partisan signature verification program. After serious concerns were raised about allowing political party volunteers to help decide which mail ballots are counted and which are flagged, Recorder Marshall made the decision to end the program. We are genuinely delighted — and deeply grateful to everyone who took this seriously with us. But we want to be honest with you about something: cancelling this program does not mean every ballot is safe. What the cancellation means — and what it doesn’t The change that was cancelled would have given partisan volunteers a direct role in determining whether your mail ballot was accepted. That’s gone. Navajo County’s professional staff will handle signature verification, as they should. What hasn’t changed is the underlying vulnerability. Mail ballots in Arizona can be flagged for mismatched signatures — and when that happens, the ballot is only saved if the voter knows to follow up with the Recorder’s Office. Many don’t. In communities where information doesn’t always travel easily, where distances are vast and resources are stretched, that gap between a flagged ballot and a cured one is where votes get lost. No partisan actor caused that gap. But no partisan actor being in the room doesn’t close it either. What we’re doing about it The Navajo County Democrats and Arizona Native Democrats are keeping our people in the field. That means voter education — face to face, door to door, community to community. Making sure voters know what a valid signature looks like. Making sure they know what to do if their ballot is flagged. Making sure no one loses their vote because they didn’t know they had an option. We are also placing nonpartisan observers at signature verification shifts throughout the summer — not to make decisions, but to watch. To ensure that Navajo County’s professional staff are following state statute and Navajo County policy and procedure every step of the way. Transparency and accountability don’t stop being important just because the partisan threat has been removed. This work takes resources. Gas cards to cover the distances our volunteers travel. Printed materials that end up on kitchen tables and in Chapter House waiting rooms. Time from people who believe showing up is how you protect democracy. How you can help If you want to support this work financially, we are grateful for every contribution — large or small. 👉 [Donate here] Or paste this link into your browser: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kossubstackand?refcode=WUKOS We won this round. Let’s make sure it counts. — Missa Foy Chair, Navajo County Democrats Arizona Native Democrats [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/6/18/800056603/community/the-partisan-verification-program-is-cancelled-the-fight-isnt-over/ Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/