Presidential Preference Election Ballot Order Drawing Completed

Secretary of State Jan Brewer Announces Order of Candidate’s Names

PHOENIX -- Today Secretary of State Jan Brewer certified the ballot order for the Presidential Preference Election to be conducted on February 5, 2008. The Secretary of State certifies candidates seeking the Office of President of the United States if they filed complete nomination papers with her office no later than December 17, 2007, at 5 p.m. These certified candidates are now entitled to have their names placed on the official Republican and Democratic presidential preference ballots in each county. The lots were drawn from an official ballot box used in the 1830s that is currently on display in the Arizona Capitol Museum .

“My office has now fulfilled its duty as prescribed by statute to determine the official order on the ballot,” stated Secretary Jan Brewer, “Representatives from all the various campaigns were afforded an opportunity to participate. The ballot order is now official as I have certified the names within the 72 hour deadline.”

The February Presidential Preference Election ballot order was determined this morning with the drawing of lots, as required by Arizona Revised Statute § 16-245(B). The ballot order can be found on the Secretary of State's website at www.azsos.gov .

The drawing by lots is unique to the Presidential Preference Election. Under Arizona law, the order of candidates on the Presidential Preference Ballot will be the same on every ballot in the state. This provision was enacted to reduce the cost for conducting the election. For the Fall Primary and General Elections, names will be rotated.

The Presidential Preference Election will be conducted to give Republicans and Democrats the opportunity to express their preference for their presidential candidate. Only members of the Republican and Democratic Parties will be able to vote in the Presidential Preference Election slated for February 5, 2008.

-30-