Alleged irregularities surrounding the 2020 election have many deeply skeptical of the reported results. This skepticism is unhealthy for our republic and if not checked will further erode trust in our government institutions.

Some argue partisanship is the root of this skepticism but both are fueled by credible reports from election volunteers (including some from LD21) of a failure by county election officials to verify signatures and addresses on mail-in ballots.

Allegations of election misconduct or malfeasance by the Maricopa County Recorder, who earlier this year was found by the State Supreme Court to have violated state election laws, have not been properly investigated. Failure to do so adds to the doubt fueled by reports from other states of election law violations, mail-in ballot issues and voting machine concerns.

Voters are entitled to unambiguous election results tallied in compliance with the rules established by the legislature. Given the political climate, elected officials have a duty to address voter doubts; not for the purpose of overturning an election, but to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the election was conducted fairly.

Our representative democracy is based on free and fair elections. It obligates government officials to ensure public confidence in the rules and methods by which those elections are conducted. When a substantial portion of the electorate decides it cannot trust those who count the ballots, the republic itself is at risk.

Meeting this obligation of confidence is essential if a real and far greater crisis of trust in government is to be avoided.

The executive board of LD 21 asks for a comprehensive review of Maricopa County election results to address rampant public concerns of election fraud and/or malfeasance in order to restore confidence in our election process.

Rick Gutridge is community relations chair for the Republican Party Executive Board for Legislative District 21.