Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward spreads idiotic ballot-marking pen conspiracy

Donald Trump set the lowest of low bars when it comes to being a whining sore loser, and the Republican Party seems to have adopted his behavior as official policy.

In essence it directs GOP candidates to suggest that the only way they can lose is if the other side cheats.

Trump has been yowling that bitter tune since 2020.

Trump sycophants like Arizona governor candidate Kari Lake and others are running with it now.

Lake said of Arizona in the Republican candidate debate, “We don’t have fair elections,” and “They’re going to have to cheat even harder to win this.”

She’s also suggested that her opponents will use the votes of dead people to try to defeat her.

Kelli Ward's myth of the poison pen

Right along with this is the latest suggestion by Arizona Republican Party Chair that there is something sinister in the pens the election department wants voters to use at the polls.

I’ve gotten several messages already from GOP supporters railing about how this is a Democratic plot to not count Republican ballots.

No.

Another view: Is Kari Lake trying to spark a riot if she loses?

The Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has simply and patiently and reasonably tried to explain why there is a specific type of pen that is best used when folks vote in person.

But patience and reason are no match for kooky conspiracy, so you end up with tweets from Ward saying:

You can vote with ANY pen you choose. You CAN bring your own pen - black or blue ink only to be sure machine can read it. If anyone bothers you, report them to a poll observer for election interference immediately. Don’t be bullied.

Why ballots need fast-drying ink on Election Day

Bullied?

Really?

Here’s what Richer said recently on the radio about marking a ballot.

“Please don’t use pencil. Please use a blue or black pen – any type of pen, blue or black – if you’re mailing it back. If you vote in person, we’ll give you a special writing utensil that works well with our tabulation equipment.”

His department’s communications director, Megan Gilbertson added, “On Election Day, we are still recommending voters use the ballot-marking pen we provide at the Vote Center. We need Election Day voters to use fast-drying ink.”

They even sent out a tweet with a video to reinforce what, honestly, is a straightforward, uncomplicated concept.

Ther's no listening to reason. Mark my words

Sadly, the conspiracy kooks will ignore it.

On purpose.

It’s part of the GOP plan to excuse any loss.

If a favored Trump stooge happens to go down on Election Day, Ward and others probably will cite some sinister, imaginary plot involving how voters marked their ballots.

Mark my words … with whatever pen you’d like.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward spreads idiotic ballot pen conspiracy