Why the write-in?

One candidate filed to run in the Democratic Party Primary for State Senator in Legislative District 19 (LD19).  To qualify for the ballot, Democrats running for state legislature in LD19 are required to turn in a minimum of 429 valid signatures on their nomination petitions.  Unfortunately, that candidate did not have the minimum number of valid signatures after a challenge to his petitions.  After a court hearing he was removed from the ballot.   That left the office for State Senator in the Democratic Party primary for LD19 vacant.

Arizona law allows candidates to run as write-ins in most elections.  In consultation with party leaders it was decided that we must have a candidate for the office on the November ballot which requires a write-in candidate for the primary.  Because I had run previously and our time line was very short, I agreed to run a write-in campaign.

How the write-in election works for the July 21 primary election.

To have votes counted for a write-in candidate for state office, the candidate must file a Legislative Write-in Nomination Declaration with the Arizona  Sec. of State's office.  Once the proper forms have been filled out, the Sec. of State notifies the elections offices in the counties where the candidate will be on the ballot.  That notification instructs the elections office to count all write in with the candidate's name on the proper place.

For this State Senator for LD19 election, on mail-in ballots there will be a blank line where the voter can fill-in "Bob Karp".  To move on to the November 3, 2026 general election I need a minimum of 429 write-in votes from Democratic Party voters in LD19.   For in-person votings, each vote center will have a list of eligible write-in candidates and the office for which they are running, and instructions on how to type in my name as the write-in. Please make sure your spelling matches what I am showing on this website. 

 If I get those votes, then I will appear on the PRINTED November 3 general election ballot as the Democratic Party nominee for State Senator.