Board declines recorder office scholarship to US Alliance for Election Excellence after public objections

The Board of Supervisors voted on June 16 to deny acceptance of a $600 scholarship that would have allowed Mohave County’s voter‑registration staff to join a national "Pathfinder" cohort run by the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence.

Recorder Durst had sought board acceptance of the scholarship for her voter‑registration staff to participate in an 18‑month voter‑communications subcohort; staff said the cohort meets via remote sessions and is intended to share best practices on messaging and outreach. The recorder’s office said the cohort would not produce communications for the county; the office would retain control over voter communications.

Public concerns and board action Two members of the public and several supervisors said they were concerned about the alliance’s donor list and alleged political orientation; public comment named a number of national foundations and corporate supporters and urged the board to refuse participation. Recorder Durst told the board she and staff found the peer‑learning opportunity useful and that many other jurisdictions have participated.

The board voted to deny acceptance of the scholarship. Supervisor Gould had pulled the item for review and said she did not want the county’s elections staff to participate in training run by organizations she described as left‑leaning; other supervisors agreed the perceived affiliations warranted declining the scholarship.

Ending: The recorder’s office remains able to pursue training from other providers; staff said the office will continue standard voter‑education activities and maintain control of all voter communications.