With eight days remaining before Arizona's November 3 election, reports of missing early ballots are generating new questions about election administration in Pima County. Republican candidates and party volunteers say they are hearing from voters who have participated in elections for years but have not received the ballots they expected.
For Kathleen Winn, chair of the Pima County Republican Party, the situation has become both a political concern and a practical problem requiring immediate attention.
Some households report that one family member received a ballot while another did not. Others say county records indicate ballots were mailed, yet nothing arrived. A few residents have been unable to obtain satisfactory explanations from the agencies involved.
State Representative Rachel Keshel says she has encountered those complaints while contacting voters in Legislative District 17. Election Integrity Commission member Joel Strabala is helping organize election observers and explain the voting options still available.
National Police Association spokesperson Betsy Brantner Smith believes the election also presents an opportunity for voters to reconsider the relationship between government, public safety, education and local businesses. Former law-enforcement officer and broadcaster Dave Smith argues that Arizona's future depends on whether voters recognize what he considers the long-term consequences of increasingly ideological government.
Underlying those concerns is an important distinction: reports of administrative failures deserve investigation, but allegations of intentional voter suppression require evidence establishing what happened and why.
For Winn, determining responsibility remains important. But with Election Day approaching, helping eligible voters cast their ballots has become the immediate priority.
Rachel Keshel: Missing Early Ballots Are Appearing in Republican Households Across LD17
State Representative Rachel Keshel has spent the final weeks of the campaign contacting voters throughout Legislative District 17.
Her outreach includes door knocking, telephone calls, personal letters and coordination with precinct volunteers.
While reviewing early-voting information, she noticed something unusual.
Some of the district's traditionally Republican precincts had more outstanding ballots than she expected.
These were not necessarily voters who had lost interest in participating. Many had established histories of voting.
Keshel decided to investigate by contacting them directly.
"I just got on the phone on Saturday and I started calling voters in one particular precinct in the Marana area," she said.
The responses raised immediate concerns.
A Family of Five Received Only Three Ballots
One voter returned Keshel's call on Sunday morning.
According to Keshel, the man explained that his household contained five eligible voters.
He and his wife had received their ballots.
One of their three sons had also received his.
But the other two sons had not.
"I got my ballot, my wife got my ballot, and one of my three sons got their ballots, but two of my sons did not," Keshel recalled the man telling her.
Other families described similar situations.
One woman received her early ballot, but her husband did not.
Keshel also experienced a problem within her own family.
Her son and daughter were both college students registered to vote.
Her son received his ballot at his father's address.
Her daughter did not.
The repeated household discrepancies made Keshel question whether the problem was limited to isolated mailing errors.
USPS Informed Delivery Showed a Ballot That Never Arrived
Winn described another complaint involving a married couple with different political affiliations.
The husband was registered Republican.
His wife was registered Democrat.
Both used USPS Informed Delivery, which provides images of mail expected to arrive.
The couple reportedly saw images showing that both ballots were on the way.
When they checked the mailbox, the wife's ballot had arrived.
The husband's had not.
He initially assumed the missing envelope would arrive the next day.
It never did.
The man eventually contacted Winn and obtained assistance with the voting process.
Winn said he subsequently visited a voting location and resolved the problem.
For Keshel, the example raised an obvious question.
How many voters experiencing a similar problem would take the necessary steps to correct it?
A person who expects a ballot might simply assume it will arrive eventually.
As the deadline approaches, that assumption can become costly.
Keshel Questions Whether Republican Voters Are Disproportionately Affected
Keshel said many of the reports she personally encountered involved Republican voters in Republican-leaning precincts.
She suggested that the concentration deserved investigation.
"If their vote is being intentionally suppressed, that's enough for someone to be very, very, very frustrated about," she said.
Her concern extended beyond the inconvenience of requesting another ballot.
She worried that frustrated voters might simply give up.
"I don't want people to just get frustrated and say, yeah, forget it, I'm not going to vote."
Winn shared that concern.
Both questioned whether voters from other parties were experiencing comparable problems.
However, the complaints available to them were largely generated through Republican outreach. That means the accounts did not establish the overall partisan distribution of missing ballots.
Neither speaker presented evidence demonstrating that election officials or postal employees deliberately withheld Republican ballots.
Their suspicions remained allegations requiring examination of registration, production and mailing records.
The County Recorder's Explanation Does Not Match Their Experiences
Winn criticized explanations she attributed to the Pima County Recorder's Office suggesting that some missing-ballot complaints involved voters who had moved.
She said she had personally helped 63 people resolve early-ballot problems during the previous week.
According to Winn, none of them had changed residences.
"Not one of them moved," she said.
Keshel agreed that the explanation seemed inconsistent with the voters she had contacted.
Both argued that election officials needed to provide a more detailed account of why ballots recorded as mailed had not arrived.
They also criticized Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, questioning her administrative performance and public political affiliations.
Keshel referenced photographs showing the recorder wearing political merchandise associated with Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva.
She argued that highly visible partisan activity could undermine public confidence in an office responsible for administering elections for voters of every political persuasion.
Her criticism did not establish that the recorder's political beliefs caused the ballot-delivery problems.
But Keshel maintained that the unresolved complaints required a more transparent response.
Legislative District 17 Could Determine Control of Arizona's Legislature
Keshel is seeking reelection to the Arizona House of Representatives.
She is campaigning alongside fellow Republican John Winchester.
Both are competing in Legislative District 17, where voters can select two candidates for the state House.
The district is one of Southern Arizona's most politically consequential legislative battlegrounds.
Its results could affect control of the Arizona House and the ability of the next governor to advance a legislative agenda.
The Campaign Is Targeting High-Propensity Republican Voters
Keshel said her campaign's turnout efforts concentrate partly on voters with consistent histories of participation.
She was especially concerned to find large numbers of outstanding early ballots in precincts that usually produce strong Republican turnout.
The campaign responded by expanding direct outreach.
Precinct workers were sending personal letters.
Volunteers were making phone calls.
And campaigns were encouraging residents to verify their ballot status.
Keshel credited one precinct committeewoman who also worked with Turning Point for organizing another round of personal letters.
The message was intended to reach voters who might be frustrated with individual issues or candidates.
Rather than allow those disagreements to become reasons for abstaining, the letters explained why the legislative contests remained consequential.
Keshel Says Republicans Are Performing Better Than in 2022
Keshel expressed optimism about early participation.
She said Republican turnout data in LD17 appeared favorable compared with the same stage of the 2022 election.
Winn reported that the district's early-ballot return percentage had reached approximately 33.2 percent.
She wanted the figure to rise substantially during the remaining eight days.
Keshel argued that the anticipated Democratic surge was not appearing in the data she had reviewed.
She also cited Republican registration growth and migration from Democratic-leaning states as reasons for optimism.
In her view, Arizona could eventually resemble Florida politically if Republican participation remained consistently strong.
"We have such a beautiful state, but we have to show up and vote," she said.
Keshel Criticizes Democratic Campaign Messaging
Keshel accused Democratic candidates of describing themselves as moderate while supporting policies she considers ideologically extreme.
She criticized Governor Katie Hobbs' advertisements and argued that the governor's record should be evaluated through her vetoes and policy decisions.
Keshel and Winn discussed more than 500 gubernatorial vetoes, including measures they believed would have strengthened parental rights and public safety.
Their argument was that voters should examine the record rather than rely on campaign images.
Winn was especially critical of advertisements portraying Hobbs as effective on water policy and economic issues.
She considered those claims inconsistent with her assessment of the previous four years.
Keshel agreed.
For both, the approaching election represents a choice between competing philosophies of government.
Keshel Is Skeptical of Political Polling
Keshel and Winn also questioned the reliability of public opinion polling.
They argued that Republican voters increasingly refuse to participate in surveys.
That can complicate efforts to estimate candidate support accurately.
Keshel described living with someone deeply involved in political data analysis.
She joked about the long hours devoted to spreadsheets and turnout calculations.
Winn praised the value of those efforts while acknowledging that political predictions can remain uncertain.
Their conclusion was that campaigns should concentrate on actual votes rather than assume favorable polling will produce victory.
Reports of Missing Ballots Reach the United States Postal Service
Winn said the Republican Party had escalated complaints about ballot delivery beyond local election officials.
She read a letter from a Tucson couple who had contacted the United States Postal Service regarding their missing early ballots.
The writers described themselves as disabled senior citizens who depended on mail voting as an accommodation.
Their correspondence identified Postmaster General David Steiner and a postal official named Adrian Marshall, described as the director of Election and Government Mail Services.
According to the couple, Marshall returned their call and discussed their concerns.
A Postal Official Reportedly Referred the Matter for Investigation
The letter stated that Marshall had indicated the situation would be referred to the USPS Office of Inspector General.
Winn considered the reported referral significant.
She distinguished between possible election-administration violations and crimes involving the handling of United States mail.
"If election fraud is actually mail fraud committed by a USPS employee, mail-in voting can never be secure," the voter wrote.
The letter argued that interference with mail is a separate issue that cannot necessarily be resolved by providing a replacement ballot.
The reported referral did not establish that a postal employee had committed a crime or that investigators had verified the allegations.
Winn nevertheless said the party intended to provide additional information through appropriate legal channels.
Disabled Voters May Not Be Able to Substitute In-Person Voting
The couple emphasized that they relied on mail voting because of their disabilities.
They maintained a locked post-office box at a Tucson postal facility.
For them, being told to visit an early-voting location was not necessarily an adequate solution.
"In-person voting is not fungible with mail-in ballots," the letter explained.
Their concern was that the government should provide a reliable voting method for eligible residents who have difficulty traveling.
Winn agreed that the situation deserved special attention.
She argued that a voter should not lose reasonable access to the ballot because the system failed to deliver election mail as expected.
Reporting a Problem Is Different From Proving Fraud
Winn said the party intended to follow up with federal authorities and attorneys assisting election-integrity efforts.
She also referred to reports that Department of Justice civil-rights personnel might be assigned to Pima County.
At the time, she said she was still trying to determine whether those officials had arrived or when they would be available.
The distinction remains important.
An allegation of mail theft or interference may warrant investigation.
But the existence of missing mail, a complaint or a referral does not itself prove intentional interference.
The necessary evidence would include production records, postal acceptance information, delivery data and any findings from investigators.
For Winn, those questions could be pursued while residents continued using authorized voting methods.
Early-Ballot Deadlines Make Prompt Action Essential
Winn emphasized that Friday, October 23, had been the deadline for requesting an early ballot by mail.
Residents who had not requested a ballot by that cutoff could no longer assume that another would be mailed to them.
The remaining options included early in-person voting and Election Day voting.
Winn also urged residents who had received replacement ballots to return them promptly.
She recommended mailing completed early ballots by Tuesday, October 27, rather than relying on delivery during the final days before Election Day.
That was her practical recommendation, not a guarantee of postal delivery or a substitute for official election rules.
Completed Early Ballots Can Be Returned in Person
Winn encouraged voters who received ballots late in the week to use an authorized ballot-return or voting location.
She particularly favored the option of presenting identification when returning an early ballot at a participating site.
For her, in-person return reduced uncertainty associated with postal delivery.
She also emphasized that a voter experiencing a problem should contact the Recorder's Office rather than assume nothing could be done.
Her message was that an unresolved mailing problem should not automatically become a missed vote.
Joel Strabala: Election Observers Are Still Needed for November 3
Joel Strabala, chairman of the Legislative District 17 Republican organization and a member of the Pima County Election Integrity Commission, joined Winn to explain the final election-observation preparations.
He said the party had made substantial progress recruiting observers for early-voting locations, ballot processing, signature verification and tabulation.
But Election Day still required additional volunteers.
"What I really need now is observers for the Election Day vote centers," Strabala said.
His immediate focus was filling available shifts before the county finalized the relevant credentials.
Five-Hour Observation Shifts
Strabala described three daily Election Day observation shifts.
The first runs from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The second runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The third runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
He said the observation schedule was approximately 25 percent filled when he provided the update.
The party needed significantly more people to cover the available locations.
Strabala planned to generate authorization letters on Wednesday afternoon for submission to the elections department.
That made volunteer registration particularly urgent.
Where Volunteers Can Register
Strabala directed prospective observers to PimaGOP.org.
The Election 2026 section contained observation information and signup sheets.
He said five signup sheets were organized according to Pima County's supervisor districts.
Volunteers could select available locations and shifts.
Strabala also recommended reviewing the training materials posted near the beginning of the observation section.
Even experienced observers, he argued, should familiarize themselves with updated procedures.
Election laws and administrative rules can change between cycles.
An observer who understands the current requirements is more useful than someone relying on procedures remembered from several elections earlier.
Observation Should Document What Happens, Not Disrupt Voting
Strabala emphasized that observers must not interfere with election operations.
Their responsibility is to observe, document and report concerns through appropriate channels.
"If you're a voter or an observer and you observe something wrong, don't argue with any of the poll workers or mouth off in the vote center," he said.
Winn agreed that confrontations inside voting locations are counterproductive.
A person who believes something improper occurred should record the details and use the available reporting process.
That includes the location, time, people involved and conduct observed.
Strabala said reports should distinguish between ordinary operations and problems requiring follow-up.
He also encouraged observers to report when procedures were working properly.
The objective, he argued, is accurate documentation.
Strabala Explains How to Report Suspected Election Irregularities
Strabala recommended that voters and observers initially raise appropriate procedural concerns with the voting-site supervisor.
If the matter remained unresolved, they could document it and report it after leaving the voting area.
He directed concerned residents to Arizona.ProtectTheVote.com, which he described as providing an online incident-reporting process.
He also supplied two election-integrity telephone numbers.
The Arizona GOP reporting number was 970-489-7788.
The local Pima County number was 520-900-0419.
Winn added the county Republican Party office number, 520-321-1492, for people seeking assistance.
Documentation Is More Useful Than Arguments
Strabala emphasized that specific information allows attorneys and other reviewers to determine whether a problem requires additional attention.
A vague allegation may be difficult to investigate.
A report identifying the location, time, procedure and relevant circumstances provides a stronger basis for review.
Winn agreed.
She said attorneys were available to examine sufficiently detailed reports.
Litigation, in her view, should be a last resort after attempts to correct a problem through the appropriate channels.
But she maintained that the party was prepared to pursue legal remedies when warranted.
Voters Who Never Received a Ballot Should Also Document the Problem
Strabala recommended that people who were enrolled on the Active Early Voting List but did not receive ballots record that experience through the reporting process.
He encouraged voters to preserve relevant information about their registration status and ballot requests.
Such documentation could help investigators determine whether complaints represented isolated errors or a larger operational pattern.
But he emphasized that reporting should occur alongside the practical effort to vote.
An investigation may take longer than the election calendar allows.
Marana's Mobile Voting Center Offers a Limited Opportunity
Strabala confirmed that Pima County's mobile voting center was scheduled to visit Marana on Tuesday, October 27.
The location was the Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center at 13455 North Marana Main Street.
The scheduled hours were 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Winn welcomed the opportunity but criticized the limited hours.
Marana is a growing community with a substantial population of Republican voters.
She argued that the area deserved more convenient early-voting options.
Five Hours for a Growing Community
Winn questioned why Marana received only a five-hour mobile voting opportunity while other areas appeared to receive more extensive services.
She compared the schedule with the multiple mobile voting dates serving communities associated with Supervisor District 5.
For Winn, the distribution raised questions about whether election resources were being allocated fairly.
Strabala confirmed the Marana schedule but did not establish that the differing allocations were politically motivated.
The county's actual site-selection criteria would be necessary to evaluate those allegations.
The Mobile Unit's Mechanical Problems Remain a Concern
Winn referred to earlier problems involving the vehicle used to transport the mobile voting center.
She worried that another breakdown could reduce access during a short scheduled visit.
Strabala said the unit was expected to be operational.
He did not report a new mechanical failure.
Winn urged Marana residents to take advantage of the scheduled opportunity while also considering other authorized early-voting locations if needed.
Strabala Says Republican Poll-Worker Recruitment Improved Significantly
Although observer recruitment still needed work, Strabala had more encouraging news about actual poll workers.
He said the Republican Party had improved its participation in Election Day staffing.
The number of Republican inspectors increased from 54 to 61.
He also described improvements in Republican representation among other election-worker positions.
More Than 500 Republicans Were Scheduled to Work
Strabala provided a breakdown of expected Election Day poll workers.
According to his figures, the county had recruited:
529 Republicans.
668 Democrats.
139 people registered with other parties or without a declared party affiliation.
The figures were those reported by Strabala during the discussion.
He viewed the increased Republican participation as an important accomplishment.
Election staffing requires extensive recruitment, scheduling, training and coordination.
Winn praised the volunteers responsible.
She also criticized people who complain about inadequate representation without offering to help.
For her, the improvement demonstrated that practical organizing can produce measurable results.
Observers and Poll Workers Have Different Responsibilities
Strabala's comments also illustrated the distinction between authorized election workers and party-designated observers.
Election workers perform official administrative duties.
Observers monitor permitted activities according to established rules.
Both roles matter, but they have different responsibilities and legal limits.
Strabala encouraged volunteers to understand those distinctions before arriving at voting locations.
A properly trained observer can identify concerns without interrupting the officials responsible for conducting the election.
Pima County's Voter Rolls Become Another Source of Concern
Winn asked Strabala about claims that the Recorder's Office employed a person earning approximately $90,000 annually to maintain voter-registration records.
She wanted to know who had been hired, what responsibilities the position included and whether the office was meeting its obligations.
Strabala said the Election Integrity Commission had not received that information.
He could not confirm the position or provide details about the alleged salary.
Strabala Requested Information About Felony-Related Registrations
Strabala said he had requested information concerning the county's procedures for reviewing voter registrations associated with felony convictions.
The concern arose partly from disputes involving Maricopa County.
Strabala wanted to determine what cleanup or review Pima County had conducted during 2026.
He said the recorder was not present at the relevant commission meeting, so he did not receive an answer.
Winn stated that she believed the county had failed to conduct the necessary review.
However, the discussion did not establish the full maintenance records or identify which specific registrations were legally subject to removal.
A felony conviction does not always create a permanent bar to voting, and eligibility can depend on restoration of civil rights and other legal requirements.
A Former Tenant Continued Receiving Election Mail
Winn returned to a report from a landlord who said a former tenant had moved approximately nine years earlier.
According to the account, election mail continued arriving at the property.
The landlord reportedly received three ballots associated with the former tenant during the current election.
Winn said the property owner returned the materials through the Postal Service rather than attempting to use them.
She argued that records remaining associated with outdated addresses deserve examination.
The circumstances did not establish that fraudulent ballots were cast.
But they raised questions about how address changes and returned election mail are processed.
Betsy Brantner Smith: Tucson's Retired Police Officers Remember a Different Department
National Police Association spokesperson Betsy Brantner Smith joined Winn after attending a reunion for retired Tucson Police Department personnel.
The gathering took place at a Fraternal Order of Police facility.
Smith accompanied her husband, Dave Smith, who began his law-enforcement career with Tucson Police before moving to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
She described the reunion as an opportunity to reconnect with officers who served decades earlier.
Many attendees had not seen one another in years.
Sergeant McGuire Represents an Earlier Generation of Leadership
Smith was particularly excited to meet Sergeant McGuire, whom she associated with a Tucson Police Department academy class from the early 1960s.
Her husband had spoken about him for years.
According to Smith, McGuire possessed an extraordinary command presence.
Younger officers respected him and understood that he expected professionalism.
Finally meeting him brought those stories to life.
She described feeling almost like a rookie in the presence of a respected veteran.
Smith also praised the local family associated with McGuire's Jewelers.
For her, the encounter reinforced the importance of institutional memory.
Experienced officers can pass along lessons about judgment, discipline and responsibility that are difficult to learn from written procedures alone.
Former Officers Continue Following Tucson Politics
Smith said many attendees recognized her and expressed appreciation for Winn Tucson and the recurring Smith & Winn discussions.
She described the reaction as evidence that retired officers remain deeply concerned about their community.
Many have spent their lives protecting Tucson residents.
Even after leaving active service, they retain strong opinions about law enforcement and public policy.
Smith thanked those listeners for continuing to participate in civic life.
Winn returned the appreciation.
She described herself as a longtime supporter of law enforcement and first responders.
Betsy Smith Says Early Voting Should Actually Happen Early
Smith used her appearance to reinforce Winn's message about ballot returns.
She was particularly frustrated with voters who receive early ballots, complete them and then hold them until Election Day.
For Smith, that creates unnecessary risk.
"If you get an early ballot, treat it like an early ballot," was the principle she emphasized.
She encouraged people to return completed ballots through lawful procedures rather than wait.
Voters Who Have Already Participated Can Help Others
Smith argued that casting a ballot should be followed by another act of civic engagement.
People should contact friends, neighbors and family members who may need help finding voting locations or understanding the ballot.
She suggested reaching out to at least five people.
That could mean a phone call, a text message or a brief conversation with someone nearby.
Her larger argument was that political participation depends on personal relationships as much as advertising and large-scale campaign operations.
Winn agreed that even a small increase in participation could affect close Arizona races.
School Choice Becomes a Flashpoint as TUSD Considers Closures
A caller named Lori introduced a new issue affecting Tucson families.
She referred to discussions about possible Tucson Unified School District closures.
According to Lori, she had seen a statement from the Pima County Democratic Party opposing school choice.
She argued that parents facing the prospect of changing schools should consider the relationship between district policies and their ability to choose another educational environment.
Smith agreed.
She criticized what she views as the Democratic Party's opposition to Arizona's school-choice programs.
Parents Face Difficult Decisions When Schools Close
Potential school closures can disrupt families in several ways.
A child may need to transfer to another campus.
Transportation arrangements may change.
Parents may need to adjust work schedules.
And children can lose established relationships with teachers and classmates.
Lori argued that families should have alternatives when their neighborhood schools no longer meet their needs.
For her, school choice is especially important during periods of district consolidation.
Smith and Winn agreed that parents should retain meaningful authority over educational decisions.
The Empowerment Scholarship Account Program Remains Controversial
Winn defended Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program.
She criticized Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes and other Democratic leaders over what she described as efforts to restrict or eliminate the program.
Smith agreed that parental choice should remain available.
Their argument was that education funding should support students' needs rather than automatically keep every child within a particular district.
Opponents of expansive school-choice policies raise different concerns, including funding available to public schools, accountability and equitable access.
Smith and Winn focused on the rights of parents to select educational environments they consider appropriate.
Curriculum and Athletic Eligibility Remain Part of the Debate
The pair also criticized school policies involving gender identity and athletic eligibility.
They expressed opposition to allowing transgender girls to participate in certain girls' sports categories and raised concerns about school facilities and parental authority.
Their positions reflected conservative views on contested education and civil-rights questions.
Smith argued that parents should have greater influence over decisions affecting their children.
Winn connected the issue to her broader criticism of state education policy.
Fourth Avenue Businesses Are Asking Tucson Officials for Help
Smith shifted from education to an example she considered especially revealing about local government.
She discussed Boca Tacos, the Fourth Avenue restaurant owned by Chef Maria Mazon.
Mazon has represented Tucson on national culinary programs and competitions.
Smith described her as a talented chef and business owner whose success helps promote the city.
But operating a restaurant in the downtown area has become increasingly difficult, Smith argued.
Broken Parking Meters and Street Conditions Affect Customer Access
According to Smith, Mazon and other Fourth Avenue business owners had contacted city officials about problems affecting their businesses.
Those included malfunctioning parking meters, homelessness, drug-related activity and deteriorating conditions on sidewalks.
Smith argued that these problems discourage customers from visiting.
People who cannot park conveniently or feel uncomfortable walking through an area may choose to spend their money elsewhere.
For businesses operating on narrow margins, lost customers can become a serious threat.
Smith was especially concerned because restaurant owners have invested their own money, time and reputations in downtown Tucson.
Smith Criticizes the City's Response
Smith said city officials responded by suggesting that business owners organize and address some of the problems themselves.
She considered that response inadequate.
In her view, business owners already pay taxes and comply with government requirements.
They should be able to expect basic services involving public safety, functioning infrastructure and the maintenance of public spaces.
Smith questioned why city officials would expect small businesses to resolve conditions that fall within government's normal responsibilities.
Winn agreed.
Both argued that the failure to address such concerns can discourage private investment.
A Successful Restaurant Is Part of Tucson's Identity
Smith encouraged residents to support Boca Tacos.
She praised Mazon's food and her work promoting Tucson cuisine.
For Smith, the restaurant represents more than an individual business.
It reflects the city's cultural identity and entrepreneurial potential.
Losing established businesses because of declining public conditions would damage the community.
She argued that municipal leaders should listen when owners explain the problems affecting their operations.
Smith Believes Local Frustration Could Cross Party Lines
Smith argued that dissatisfaction with city services is not limited to Republicans.
Many business owners in downtown Tucson may traditionally identify with Democrats or independents.
But their immediate needs involve functioning parking systems, safe streets and viable businesses.
Smith believes those practical concerns could create political alliances that would otherwise seem unlikely.
"This shouldn't be Democrat versus Republican," she said.
She suggested that future local elections might be shaped by residents who want better public services rather than by traditional partisan loyalties.
Her criticism of Democratic officials was forceful, but her larger argument was that business conditions should be judged by outcomes rather than political labels.
Immigration and Public Spending Enter the Discussion
Winn connected the local-government debate to Representative Adelita Grijalva's public positions on immigration.
She accused Grijalva of placing excessive emphasis on services for unauthorized immigrants while neglecting other district needs.
Smith agreed and criticized what she considers the growth of government programs benefiting politically favored groups.
Those were the speakers' political assessments, not demonstrated findings that particular residents had unlawfully received benefits.
The underlying policy disagreement concerns how public resources should be allocated among infrastructure, education, public safety and services for different populations.
Rod Blagojevich Becomes an Example of Political Realignment
Winn and Smith discussed former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
They said Blagojevich had recently encouraged Americans to vote Republican despite his history as a Democratic officeholder.
He described himself, according to Winn, as a "Trumpocrat."
The pair interpreted the label as suggesting he retained some traditional Democratic values while rejecting the party's current progressive direction.
The Illinois Corruption Case Remains Part of His Reputation
Blagojevich served prison time following federal corruption convictions connected to his conduct as governor.
Winn recalled that his case involved the effort to fill the Senate seat vacated when Barack Obama became president.
Smith discussed disputes over political influence in Illinois and allegations about the preferred successor.
Some of her claims about Obama's personal motives were speculative and not established by the discussion.
She nevertheless used the controversy to criticize Illinois' history of political corruption.
Dennis Hastert Adds Another Troubling Example
Winn and Smith also recalled former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
Hastert had worked as a wrestling coach in Illinois before entering politics.
He later became involved in a criminal case connected to allegations of sexual abuse.
The pair emphasized that corruption and misconduct are not confined to one political party.
Smith joked that Illinois had become an equal-opportunity producer of disgraced politicians.
For Winn, the example reinforced her argument that Arizona should avoid political cultures where abuse of office becomes normalized.
Dave Smith: Tucson Police Once Set a National Standard
Former Tucson police officer and broadcaster Dave Smith continued the conversation after his wife Betsy concluded her appearance.
Smith had also attended the reunion of retired Tucson Police Department officers.
The gathering was particularly meaningful because it brought him back to the area where he began his law-enforcement career.
He recalled patrolling Midtown Tucson during the 1970s.
The Fraternal Order of Police facility near Dodge Boulevard and River Road was located within an area he had once worked.
Seeing old colleagues brought back memories of officers who had supported one another during dangerous assignments.
A Reunion After Nearly 50 Years
Smith said some of the people at the reunion were officers he had not seen in four or five decades.
He remembered their professional relationships, shared experiences and the demands of police work.
The reunion allowed retired officers to revisit an important period in Tucson's history.
Smith believes the department had an exceptional reputation during the 1970s.
"You cannot look at the picture of TPD today and understand what TPD was in 1975," he said.
He described the earlier department as young, educated and professionally ambitious.
He also recalled a favorable national assessment of the agency, although he was uncertain about the exact ranking.
Smith Blames Political Leadership for Declining Police Effectiveness
Smith argued that Tucson's law-enforcement culture changed as local government became more politically ideological.
He criticized city administrations since the turn of the century, arguing that their policies weakened public safety.
In his view, the problem is not the dedication of individual officers.
It is the expectations and restrictions established by political leaders.
Smith believes police agencies should be allowed to focus on protecting residents, enforcing laws and maintaining public order.
Winn agreed and expressed appreciation for the officers still serving under difficult circumstances.
Dave Smith Explains How Political Messaging Uses Emotion
Smith devoted substantial attention to the psychology of modern political campaigns.
He argued that many campaign messages are designed to trigger immediate emotional reactions rather than encourage careful examination of policies.
He described a distinction between first-order and second-order thinking.
First-order reactions respond to an immediate event or emotional cue.
Second-order thinking examines longer-term consequences, relationships and tradeoffs.
Smith believes voters should practice more second-order reasoning.
Political Consultants Understand the Power of Words
Smith claimed Democratic campaign consultants place enormous emphasis on behavioral psychology and carefully tested language.
He cited terms such as affordability and fascism as examples of emotionally powerful political labels.
His argument was that a label can influence an audience before the audience evaluates the underlying facts.
"They tie the emotion to the word," Smith said.
He believes repeated political branding can make reasonable discussion more difficult.
Once a person or policy has been associated with a deeply negative label, an audience may reject it without examining the evidence.
Smith Criticizes the Use of "Affordability" in Campaign Advertising
Smith questioned political messaging centered on affordability.
He argued that voters should examine actual trends in household expenses, rather than accept vague promises to make life more affordable.
He referred to gasoline prices, groceries and inflation during the Biden administration.
He also described a political illustration based on Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving imagery.
In the altered image, a family sits around a table with a very small turkey, symbolizing financial strain.
For Smith, the message was that government policy should be evaluated through what families can actually afford.
Winn agreed.
Both criticized advertisements portraying Governor Katie Hobbs' economic record favorably.
Their assessments were partisan evaluations of the governor's performance, not a comprehensive economic analysis.
The Label "Fascist" Becomes a Political Weapon
Smith also criticized the use of fascist as a broad insult against political opponents.
He argued that the word carries such strong emotional associations that campaigns can use it to discourage rational engagement.
For Smith, the problem is not limited to one political label.
He believes contemporary campaigns increasingly reward messages that generate fear and anger.
He argued that voters should ask what a candidate actually proposes and what consequences those proposals would produce.
Smith Questions the Influence of NGOs and Political Organizations
Smith criticized the relationship between political parties, nonprofit organizations and government contracts.
He argued that organizations outside formal government can exert substantial influence over public policy.
He was particularly critical of nonprofits receiving public money while also participating in political advocacy.
For Smith, the concern is whether taxpayer-funded programs are being used to support narrow ideological objectives.
Government Contracts Require Transparent Procedures
Winn alleged that some city and county contracts had benefited organizations or individuals with close political relationships.
She questioned whether every relevant contract had been subject to appropriate competitive procedures.
Smith agreed that such arrangements deserved scrutiny.
The discussion did not provide records demonstrating unlawful contracting or favoritism in particular cases.
Nevertheless, the speakers argued that the appearance of insider relationships can damage public confidence.
They believe local government should establish clear rules for contracting, disclosure and oversight.
The Meaning of Community Becomes a Point of Dispute
Smith criticized local officials' frequent references to serving the community.
He argued that political leaders sometimes use the term to describe a narrow group of activists or organizations sharing their ideology.
For Smith, government should serve the broader population, including residents who disagree with current officeholders.
That includes business owners, families, retirees, workers and people who rarely attend political meetings.
Winn agreed.
She believes elected officials should measure success according to improvements affecting ordinary residents rather than the number of programs created.
Pima County's Crime Problems Become a Criticism of Andres Cano
Winn and Smith discussed several violent incidents associated with Supervisor District 5.
Winn criticized Supervisor Andres Cano for what she considered an inadequate public response.
She referred to the killing of a Tucson police recruit, a shooting in downtown Tucson that injured several people, the fatal beating of a woman and the deaths of two men near a gay bar.
Winn argued that those incidents demonstrated the need for stronger leadership on public safety.
A Supervisor Should Speak for Every Resident
Smith agreed that elected officials should respond when serious crimes affect their districts.
He argued that a supervisor's role extends beyond distributing money or attending public events.
Residents expect their representatives to acknowledge problems and advocate practical solutions.
Winn criticized Cano's public appearance with Sheriff Chris Nanos, during which pizza was reportedly delivered to deputies.
She considered the gesture insufficient compared with the broader public-safety challenges facing the district.
The discussion did not establish Cano's complete public record or all statements he had made about the incidents.
But Winn and Smith used the examples to argue for stronger accountability.
Political Affiliation Should Not Determine the Importance of Victims
Winn emphasized that victims of crime deserve concern regardless of their political affiliations, identities or neighborhoods.
Her criticism was that serious incidents should receive consistent attention from public officials.
Smith argued that a safe community is necessary for economic opportunity and quality of life.
Without public safety, businesses may struggle and residents may become less willing to participate in community activities.
Proposition 425 Becomes a Central Concern About Pima County's Financial Future
Winn and Smith strongly opposed Proposition 425.
The measure would permanently increase the county's constitutional expenditure base and substantially expand its legal spending limit.
Winn cited estimates approaching $630 million in additional spending authority.
That would not itself require the county to spend the entire amount or automatically impose an equivalent tax increase.
But Winn argued that expanding the limit could encourage additional government programs and future revenue requests.
Smith Warns About the Consequences for Homeowners
Smith connected government spending with the financial environment facing homeowners and businesses.
He argued that higher taxes can make a community less attractive to residents considering relocation.
People evaluate property taxes, housing costs, public services and economic opportunities when deciding where to live.
Smith worried that greater spending authority would eventually result in additional pressure on taxpayers.
He predicted that continued increases could reduce the attractiveness of Pima County.
Those outcomes were his forecast, not established consequences of the proposition.
Winn Compares Proposition 425 With Proposition 414
Winn recalled the earlier Proposition 414 debate and described Proposition 425 as a more consequential request.
She argued that voters who had rejected previous tax-related measures should examine the new proposal carefully.
For her, the essential concern was the permanent nature of the change.
Future boards would inherit the increased spending authority.
That makes the proposition a structural decision extending beyond the current supervisors.
Public Safety, Roads and Economic Development Should Come First
Winn and Smith agreed that county government should prioritize fundamental services.
They identified public safety, roads and economic development as particularly important.
Smith argued that businesses are less likely to invest in communities with poor infrastructure or persistent public-safety problems.
Winn likewise questioned whether expanded spending would address the issues residents consider most urgent.
For both, government effectiveness should be measured by results rather than the size of its budget.
Tucson's School Closures Raise Questions About Educational Outcomes
Smith returned to Tucson Unified School District's declining enrollment and proposed school closures.
He argued that families may be leaving the district because they are dissatisfied with academic performance, school culture or available educational options.
He criticized what he considers excessive emphasis on political ideology in classrooms.
Winn agreed that students need strong instruction in mathematics, reading, science and communication.
Education Should Prepare Students for Independence
Smith described education as preparation for citizenship and economic participation.
Students should graduate with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to pursue employment, higher education or technical training.
For him, a successful school system helps children build independent lives.
He argued that schools should encourage ambition rather than teach students to view themselves primarily through political or economic categories.
"The reason we have education is to prepare people to be citizens in a free society and flourish," he said.
The American Dream Requires Opportunity and Personal Initiative
Smith rejected the idea that economic mobility is impossible in America.
He acknowledged that people begin life under very different circumstances.
But he argued that the country's economic system still provides opportunities for people to improve their circumstances through education, work and entrepreneurship.
"The American dream is not dead. What's happened is dreaming has died," he said.
For Smith, restoring opportunity requires both effective education and an economic environment that rewards productive work.
He believes excessive regulation, high taxes and ideological education threaten that combination.
Political Harassment Reaches Winn's Own Neighborhood
Winn also described vandalism involving political signs outside her home.
She had displayed campaign signs supporting Republican candidates.
According to her account, someone wrote an anti-Trump message on one sign.
On another occasion, someone placed dog waste on a sign supporting Rachel Keshel.
Winn criticized the behavior as immature.
She said she replaced the damaged signs rather than allow the incidents to discourage her.
For her, political harassment should not distract citizens from their larger responsibilities.
Personal Outreach Is More Important Than Political Insults
Winn described sending letters to residents in her precinct supporting Keshel and Winchester.
She said many neighbors responded positively.
But she also encountered voters who planned to sit out the election.
One local justice-of-the-peace candidate, William Parvin, had reportedly encountered similar responses while canvassing.
Winn argued that people should evaluate the consequences of staying home rather than withdraw because of frustration.
She emphasized the number of offices and ballot propositions being decided.
Those choices will affect local taxes, schools, public safety and the authority exercised by government officials.
A Star Trek Remembrance Closes the Discussion
Winn ended on a lighter, nostalgic subject.
She referred to a report that actor Walter Koenig, known for playing Pavel Chekov on the original Star Trek television series, had died at age 90.
The reported death was not independently verified during the discussion.
Winn recalled watching the series while growing up.
For her, it was part of a formative period when television science fiction introduced audiences to new worlds and possibilities.
She also remembered Koenig's later work on Babylon 5.
Smith shared her appreciation for the original series.
The pair joked about William Shatner's longevity and the possibility that he had access to some special futuristic treatment.
An Unexpected Technical Problem Adds Comic Relief
The conversation had been repeatedly interrupted by audio difficulties.
Smith's voice began playing faster than normal, producing a high-pitched sound that Winn compared to a cartoon character.
The technical problem became a running joke.
By the final moments, Smith asked whether he sounded like a chipmunk.
Winn confirmed that he did.
They laughed about the old Chipmunks Christmas song before closing with Star Trek music.
After an intense discussion of elections, public safety and government, the moment provided an affectionate callback to a shared piece of American popular culture.
Eight Days Remain Before Arizona Makes Its Decision
The issues facing Arizona voters extend well beyond the reports of missing ballots.
Legislative District 17 could affect control of the state House.
Competitive congressional races could influence the balance of power in Washington.
Statewide offices will determine Arizona's direction on water policy, education, public safety and election administration.
And local propositions will influence county spending authority, public services and long-term taxation.
Rachel Keshel's concerns about missing ballots highlighted the importance of reliable election administration.
Joel Strabala's operational updates demonstrated the work required to staff voting locations and provide meaningful observation.
Betsy Brantner Smith emphasized the connection between public safety, functioning local government and the survival of small businesses.
Dave Smith argued that voters should look beyond emotional political messaging and examine the longer-term consequences of government policy.
For Winn, the final days before the election presented two responsibilities.
The first was practical: help eligible voters locate their ballots, understand the deadlines and use authorized voting procedures.
The second was enduring: ensure that public officials remain accountable for the decisions they make with the authority voters give them.
Questions about ballot delivery, government contracts, public spending and the performance of local institutions should be resolved through evidence and lawful procedures.
Political suspicion alone cannot establish misconduct.
But documented failures should not be ignored simply because they are inconvenient.
The measure of a functioning representative government is not whether every voter agrees with the outcome. It is whether citizens have a fair opportunity to participate, whether officials follow the rules and whether public institutions can explain their decisions.
Those responsibilities will remain after November 3, regardless of which candidates win.