Governor's veto saves Tucson vote-by-mail

PHOENIX (KOLD) - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's veto has spared the City of Tucson another tussle with the state over how local elections are conducted.

The Governor's office Monday released her one page letter to the legislature explaining her April 29 veto of SB1331.

Brewer's letter expresses concern about possible interference with political party operations at the precinct and county level, but does not mention an amendment from Tucson Representative Ted Vogt which would have prohibited cities, towns and school districts from conducting vote-by-mail elections in partisan races.

Tucson is the only city in Arizona that holds partisan elections for municipal office and City Council members agreed April 5 to conduct vote-by-mail elections in order to save money.

The City of Tucson is already suing the state over 2010 legislation that would force the city to conduct non-partisan elections and to elect council members by ward-only in general elections.

An April 20 state appeals court ruling sided with the city, but the state plans to appeal.