Ballot Harvesting in SRP Race Raises Legality Questions

Turning Point Action accused of illegal ballot harvesting in private election, but law allows it

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:12am

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Turning Point Action leader Tyler Bowyer is facing accusations of illegal ballot harvesting in the upcoming Salt River Project (SRP) board election, even though Arizona law only prohibits the practice in public elections. Democrats claim Bowyer's actions are hypocritical, but Bowyer argues he is simply outworking his political opponents.

Why it matters

Ballot harvesting, the practice of collecting and submitting mail-in ballots on behalf of voters, has been a contentious issue in Arizona politics. While the state banned the practice for public elections in 2016, it remains legal for private elections like the SRP race. This case highlights the ongoing debate over the legality and ethics of ballot harvesting.

The details

In 2016, Arizona passed a law, HB2023, that made ballot harvesting a felony, but exempted private elections like the upcoming SRP board race. Turning Point Action, led by Tyler Bowyer, has been accused of engaging in ballot harvesting for the SRP election, which Democrats claim is hypocritical since the group previously advocated for banning the practice. However, Bowyer argues he is simply outworking his political opponents.

  • In March 2022, Turning Point Action leader Tyler Bowyer said 'anyone who engages in ballot harvesting' should be prosecuted.
  • In 2016, Arizona passed HB2023, which made ballot harvesting a felony for public elections but exempted private elections like the SRP race.

The players

Tyler Bowyer

The leader of Turning Point Action, a conservative political group, who has been accused of engaging in ballot harvesting for the upcoming SRP board election.

Michelle Ugenti-Rita

The former Arizona State Representative who sponsored HB2023, the bill that banned ballot harvesting for public elections but exempted private elections.

Sergio Arellano

The new Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, who had witnessed abuses in the mail-in ballot voting process and advocated for the passage of HB2023.

Tom Ryan

A progressive political attorney and prolific tweeter who has accused Turning Point Action of hypocrisy for engaging in ballot harvesting.

AJ LaFaro

The former chair of the Maricopa County Republican Party who obtained a video showing a man from the left-leaning Citizens for a Better Arizona stuffing a ballot box with hundreds of ballots.

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What they’re saying

“'anyone who engages in ballot harvesting' should be prosecuted.”

— Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point Action leader

“'Ballot harvesting was made a CRIME by the AZGOP. Please don't be a hypocrite.'”

— Tom Ryan, Progressive attorney

“'I will continue to fight for these people every single day because they're being oppressed and lied to by people from the Democratic Party; unfortunately, because those are the operatives out picking up ballots.'”

— Sergio Arellano, Arizona Republican Party Chairman

What’s next

The legality of Turning Point Action's ballot harvesting efforts in the SRP election will likely be a continued point of debate and scrutiny in the coming weeks leading up to the election.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing controversy over ballot harvesting in Arizona, where the practice is banned for public elections but still allowed for private ones like the SRP board race. It raises questions about the ethics and fairness of political groups engaging in ballot collection, even when it is technically legal.