Precinct Voting – HCR2032

Purpose

Subject to voter approval, statutorily eliminates early voting by U.S. mail for any qualified elector and outlines eligibility requirements for a qualified elector to vote by absentee ballot. Narrows the use of voting centers for counties with a population of 500,000 persons or more by authorizing voting centers only in addition to specifically designated polling places and reduces early on-site voting to seven days.

Background

Any election called pursuant to Arizona law must provide for early voting, including accessible voting by U.S. mail for persons who are blind or have a visual impairment. Any qualified elector may vote by early ballot by making a request for a one-time early ballot as provided by statute or by requesting to be on the Active Early Voter List which allows a voter to vote by early mail ballot until the voter fails to vote an early ballot for two consecutive election cycles. A county recorder may establish on-site early voting locations which must be open for use beginning 27 days before election day through 7:00 p.m. on the Friday before election day (A.R.S. §§ 16-541; 16-542; and 16-544).

By October 1 of each year before a general election, the county BOS must establish a convenient number of election precincts within the county and designate at least one polling place in each election precinct. On a specific resolution, the county BOS may authorize the use of voting centers, in place of, or in addition to, specifically designated polling places. The county BOS may also authorize emergency vote centers for use between 7:00 p.m. on the Friday and 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election for those electors who sign a statement stating that they are experiencing an emergency that will keep them from going to the polls (A.R.S. §§ 16-411 and 16-542).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Removes the ability of any qualified elector to early vote by U.S. mail.
2. Allows qualified electors to vote by absentee ballot only if the elector:
   a) is at least 65 years of age;
   b) resides outside of the State of Arizona and is enrolled in a college or university that is located outside of the state;
   c) is an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter as defined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA);
   d) is an active-duty military member that is excluded from UOCAVA and a family member of the active-duty military member; or
   e) is a person with a disability.
3. Narrows the use of voting centers for counties with a population of 500,000 persons or more by authorizing voting centers only in addition to specifically designated polling places, rather than in place of or in addition to specifically designated polling places.
4. Reduces early on-site voting to the second Friday before election day through the Friday before election day.
5. Caps the number of registered voters in an election precinct at 1,000 when designating election precincts.
6. Specifies that an elector who requested an absentee ballot may vote at an early voting location on the Tuesday before election day through the Friday before election day and on the Monday before election day.
7. Specifies that a qualified elector requesting an absentee ballot must provide the reason for voting absentee on the qualified elector’s request.
8. Requires the Legislative Council Staff to prepare proposed legislation conforming the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to the voting center, early voting location and absentee voting criteria for consideration in the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session.
9. Makes technical and conforming changes.
10. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
11. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

1. Restores the use of vote centers with stipulations for counties with a population of 500,000 persons or more.
2. Removes early voting by mail-in ballot.
3. Outlines requirements for a qualified voter to vote by absentee ballot.
4. Restores in-person early voting with a reduced timeframe.
5. Adds a conforming legislation clause.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.