Retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice Ruth McGregor’s Report Finds Problems with Ballot Printers Were Caused by Changes to Paper, Not Malicious Actions

On Monday, April 10, 2023, a report released by retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice Ruth McGregor concluded that problems with ballot printers that caused lines to back up at some Phoenix-area polling places last year were not caused by malicious actions, but by changes to the paper.

According to the report, county officials used longer ballots on thicker paper than had been used previously. These changes were made in part to respond to unfounded conspiracy theories, but they pushed the printers to the edge of their capabilities.

The report also stated that nothing learned in the interviews or document reviews gave any clear indication that the problems should have been anticipated.

The report concluded that the problems were caused by the changes to the paper, and not by malicious actions. It also recommended that county officials should be aware of the capabilities of their printers and the paper they use, and that they should take steps to ensure that the printers are not pushed to the edge of their capabilities.

The report also suggested that county officials should be more aware of the potential for unfounded conspiracy theories, and should take steps to ensure that any changes they make to the paper are not done in response to such theories.

The report is expected to be used as a guide for county officials in the future, to ensure that similar problems do not occur.