Faith-based group finds integrity in Arizona elections

Kailey Gleave

Submitted photo/Mormon Women for Ethical Government

2026 Election Coverage

Independent Newsmedia journalists are following this year’s local, county, state and federal races closely. Visit Arizona Voters Guide 2026 at yourvalley.net/arizona-voters-guide-2026 to read their coverage.

For election information, visit your community’s website, the Arizona Secretary of State’s website at azsos.gov/elections/election-information/2026-election-info, Maricopa County’s website at elections.maricopa.gov and Pinal County’s website at pinal.gov/258/Elections.

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OPINION — What truly is election integrity? Integrity can be seen as holding true to standards, ethics and morals. Election integrity implies that we respect the fact that our elections are secure and true and have faith in them.

In a world where our realities are often distorted, it is becoming increasingly essential to rely on primary sources and to spend time directly with the groups and individuals behind the stories. In doing so, I have been validated in my faith in election integrity.

In a recent meeting with Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, he emphasized his motivation for serving in his position: ensuring that every eligible voter deserves access to voting as a constitutional right. I was inspired by his humility and praise of the diligence of poll workers to ensure the security of elections.

He emphasized the continual efforts that they make to ensure the process is smooth with little reward and constant criticism from outside voices. They are simply working diligently to ensure the integrity of the voting process and, most importantly, that voters' voices are heard.

During a recent tour of the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center, we found the process absolutely astounding, given the intricate systems required to ensure voter anonymity and the security of each vote, all in a timely and accurate manner.

It was enlightening to recognize the sacrifice of the elections team; they have had to endure misplaced judgment, doubt and rumors about their work, for which they are paid and recognized only minimally.

As a mother of young children, finding time to engage or participate in anything is difficult. Simply casting a vote may seem like a small single number for a candidate or position, but it is a big message you send to yourself and others of your desire for good.

We must be educated voters and get out to vote, especially in primaries, where our voice has the greatest and most direct impact. We are privileged in Arizona to experience open primaries, where we can vote for the party we choose, focusing on the people we want to make a difference.

My years working in social services continue to deepen my awareness that the crisis facing the unhoused and impoverished is as relevant as ever, alongside many other unseen and underfunded people in need. We may not be in a position to solve every problem, but we can build our communities and elect those who support our vision for a better society. 

How we choose to cast our vote in elections is a matter of opinion. The ways in which the election process is strongly structured and secured is a matter of fact. We must continue to exercise our rights and freedoms, especially to vote whenever we can, and ensure those who are vulnerable keep those rights that were fought for 250 years ago. We already protect the vote; instead, let’s protect the voters.

Kailey Gleave is Arizona assistant director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.