Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan insists it was vendor error that caused her office's failure to mail out 200,000 publicity pamphlets in time for early voting for this month’s special election.
That vendor was IBM, but the company says it’s in no way responsible, especially since their contract with the secretary of state’s office expired at the end of February.
A lobbyist for the company told the Arizona Capitol Timesthat Reagan’s office was concerned about the $800,000 annual cost of the contract and that staffers didn’t know how to properly use the equipment to compile mailing lists.
Reagan spokesman Matt Roberts maintains that IBM erred by not adequately responding to a request for information about using the system.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has also blamed the problems on the secretary of state’s office.
Editor's Note: The spelling of Michele Reagan's name has been corrected.
