City of Phoenix
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

March 23, 2016

The Honorable Loretta 
Attorney General

US. Department of Justice
950 Ave, NW
Washington, DC. 20530-0001

Re: Request for US. Department Investigation Into
Disparate Distribution of Polling Locations in Maricopa County

Dear Attorney General 

Just after Midnight this morning, more than five hours after the polls closed on
Tuesday, the ?nal voters in Maricopa County were at last able to cast their ballots in
Arizona?s presidential preference election. Throughout the county, but especially in
Phoenix, thousands of citizens waited in line for three, four, and even five hours to vote.
Many more simply could not afford to wait that long, and went borne. This is
unacceptable anywhere in the United States, and I am angry that County elections
of?cials allowed it to happen in my city.

Maricopa County officials approved a plan that cut polling locations by 85 percent
compared to the 2008 presidential preference election (and 70 percent compared to the
lower-turnout 2012 presidential preference election), and distributed fewer polling
locations to parts of the county with higher minority populations. For example, in
Phoenix, a majority-minority city, County officials allocated one polling location for
every 108,000 residents. The ratios were far more favorable in predominantly Anglo
communities: In Cave Creek/Carefree, there was one polling location for 8,500 residents;
in Paradise Valley, one for 13,000 residents; in Fountain Hills, one for 22,500 residents;
and in Peoria, one for every 54,000 residents.

Because of the unacceptably disparate distribution of polling locations, I
respectfully request the US. Department of Justice investigate what took place in
Maricopa County to ensure all voters are treated equally under the law.

200 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, 11TH FLOOR, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85003-1611

The Honorable Loretta 
March 23, 2016
Page 2

My request comes on the heels of consistent activity that has created a culture of
voter disenfranchisement in this state:

0 Although Arizona ranks 16th in population, it ranked 5th on the total
number of provisional ballots it rejected in 2014, discarding more ballots
than states with more than double its population. Maricopa County?s
rejection rate was even higher than the state?s. Minority voters were
signi?cantly over?represented among the rejected ballots.

0 Since 2006, Arizona elections of?cials have rejected more than 121,000
provisional ballots and more than 46,000 mail-in ballots.

0 Earlier this month, State of?cials approved a law that aims to suppress
voter turnout by making it a felony (with a presumptive one-year prison
term and $150,000 ?ne) for volunteers, or even a friend or a neighbor to
turn in a person?s valid, sealed and signed early ballot.

Yesterday?s ?asco demonstrates the urgent need for an independent and thorough
law enforcement investigation to safeguard one of the most sacred rights we have as
citizens, and I appreciate your serious consideration on this matter. Please contact me
should you have any questions or need further assistance.

cerely yours,

Greg Stanton

Mayor

GS:ss