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Arizona Revised Statutes

The Arizona Revised Statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 56th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session, which convenes in January 2025.

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This online version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is primarily maintained for legislative drafting purposes and reflects the version of law that is effective on January 1st of the year following the most recent legislative session. The official version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is published by Thomson Reuters.

Title 16 - Elections and Electors

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Chapter 1
QUALIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS
Sec: 16-101-16-184
Article 1Qualifications for Registration
  • 16-101
  • Qualifications of registrant; definition
  • 16-102
  • Power of attorney; prohibited use
  • 16-103
  • Qualified person temporarily absent from state; persons in the service of the United States
  • 16-104
  • Registration in incorporated cities and towns
  • 16-105
  • Registration required by city ordinance or charter
Article 1.1Driver's License Voter Registration
  • 16-112
  • Driver license voter registration
Article 2Qualifications for Voting
  • 16-121
  • Qualified elector; definition
  • 16-121.01
  • Requirements for proper registration; violation; classification
  • 16-122
  • Registration and records prerequisite to voting
  • 16-123
  • Proof of location of residence
  • 16-124
  • Public officer residing in county of post of duty
  • 16-125
  • Change of residence to different county during twenty-nine day period preceding election
  • 16-126
  • Authority to vote in presidential election after moving from state
  • 16-127
  • Federal only voters; early ballot; eligibility; exemption
  • 16-128
  • Clerk of the court; secretary of state; county recorder; notice of conviction
Article 3Registration Officers and Procedures
  • 16-131
  • Registration of electors; deputy registrars
  • 16-132
  • Voter registration assistance; hunting, fishing, trapping licenses; definitions
  • 16-133
  • Voter registration events; website posting
  • 16-134
  • Return of registrations made outside office of county recorder; incomplete or illegible forms
  • 16-135
  • Change of residence from one address to another
  • 16-136
  • Change of political party
  • 16-138
  • Voter registration database; federal only voters; analysis; annual report; investigation
  • 16-139
  • Registration expenses as county charge
  • 16-140
  • Voter registration assistance agencies; definitions
  • 16-141
  • Armed forces recruiting offices; voter registration assistance
  • 16-142
  • Secretary of state; national voter registration act; uniformed and overseas citizens; voter fraud hotline
  • 16-143
  • Federal only voters; attorney general; investigation; report
  • 16-144
  • Same day voter registration prohibited; violation; classification
  • 16-145
  • Automatic voter registration prohibited
Article 4Forms
  • 16-151
  • Forms for registration supplied by county recorder and secretary of state
  • 16-153
  • Voter registration; confidentiality; definitions
Article 5Registration Rolls
  • 16-161
  • Official record of registration; federal form; reporting
  • 16-162
  • Retention of registration forms and record of cancellation
  • 16-163
  • Assignment of registrations to general county register; exception; notification to elector; electronic storage of registration forms
  • 16-164
  • Change of registration on new registration form effecting change of precinct, party, address or name
  • 16-165
  • Causes for cancellation; report
  • 16-166
  • Verification of registration
  • 16-168
  • Precinct registers; date of preparation; contents; copies; reports; statewide database; violation; classification
  • 16-168.01
  • County contributions to the voter registration system fund; exemption
  • 16-169
  • Disposition and use of precinct registers; signature roster; form
  • 16-170
  • Transmittal of signature roster to county recorder; comparison of names by recorder
  • 16-171
  • Preservation of signature rosters as permanent records
  • 16-172
  • Use of county registration rolls by political subdivisions
  • 16-173
  • County recorder to file data processing system or program
Article 6Penal Provisions
  • 16-181
  • Return of registration; violation; classification
  • 16-182
  • False registration; classification; cancellation of registration
  • 16-183
  • Violations; classification
  • 16-184
  • Additional violations; classification
Chapter 1.1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec: 16-191-16-193
Article 1Applicability
  • 16-192
  • Use of state, special taxing district resources to influence elections; prohibition; civil penalties; definitions
  • 16-193
  • Active registered voters; applicability
Chapter 2
ELECTION DATES
Sec: 16-201-16-250
Article 1Primary Election
  • 16-202
  • Notice of offices for which candidates are to be nominated at primary
  • 16-203
  • Primary election for nomination of candidates in municipalities
  • 16-204
  • Declaration of statewide concern; consolidated election dates; definition
  • 16-204.01
  • Declaration of statewide concern; city, charter city or town; political subdivision consolidated election dates; voter turnout; definitions
  • 16-204.02
  • Implementation of consolidated elections; term of office; alternative expenditure limitation
  • 16-205
  • Election dates; notice; administration
Article 2General Election
  • 16-212
  • Election of presidential electors; electoral college votes; vacancy; replacement
  • 16-213
  • Election of United States senator
  • 16-214
  • Issuance of proclamation for general election by governor; publication by clerks of boards of supervisors
Article 3Other Elections; Special Provisions Relating to Election of Certain Officers
  • 16-221
  • Special election to fill vacancy in Congress
  • 16-222
  • Vacancy in the office of United States senator or representative
  • 16-223
  • Issuance of proclamation for special election by governor; publication by clerks of boards of supervisors
  • 16-224
  • Proclamation by governor; time for electing delegates to convention for ratification of amendment to the Constitution of the United States
  • 16-225
  • Special district election dates
  • 16-226
  • Nonpartisan elections; local elections; time of calling; definition
  • 16-227
  • Publication or posting of call of election for nonpartisan elections
  • 16-228
  • Notice of election for nonpartisan elections
  • 16-229
  • Affidavit of compliance
  • 16-230
  • Vacancy in certain state or county offices; election
Article 4Presidential Preference Election
  • 16-241
  • Presidential preference election; conduct of election
  • 16-242
  • Qualifications for ballot; nomination paper
  • 16-243
  • National convention delegates; vote for candidates
  • 16-244
  • Representation on ballot
  • 16-245
  • Form and content of ballot
  • 16-246
  • Early balloting; satellite locations; additional procedures
  • 16-247
  • Write-in candidates prohibited
  • 16-248
  • Designation of polling places
  • 16-249
  • Certification of election to parties; automatic recount inapplicable; tabulation
Chapter 3
NOMINATING PROCEDURES
Sec: 16-301-16-351.01
Article 1Party Nomination Requirements
  • 16-301
  • Nomination of candidates for printing on official ballot of general or special election
  • 16-302
  • Failure to nominate candidate in primary election
Article 2Filing and Forms
  • 16-311
  • Nomination papers; statement of interest; filing; definitions
  • 16-312
  • Filing of nomination papers for write-in candidates
  • 16-313
  • Filing of nomination paper and petitions for special primary election
  • 16-314
  • Filing and form of nomination petitions; definition
  • 16-315
  • Form of petitions; registration of circulators
  • 16-316
  • Secure online signature collection; candidate petitions; five dollar contributions; statewide and legislative candidates
  • 16-317
  • Secure online signature collection; municipal, county and precinct committeeman offices
  • 16-318
  • Secure online signature collection; federal offices
  • 16-319
  • Secure online signature collection; candidate petitions; judicial offices
Article 3Signature Requirements
  • 16-321
  • Signing and certification of nomination petition; definition
  • 16-322
  • Number of signatures required on nomination petitions
Article 4Judicial Offices
  • 16-331
  • Election of superior court judges by declared divisions of court
  • 16-332
  • Election of justices of supreme court or judges of court of appeals by declared terms
  • 16-333
  • Preparation and filing of nominating petition for certain judicial offices
Article 5Nomination Other Than by Primary
  • 16-341
  • Nomination petition; method and time of filing; form; qualifications and number of petitioners required; statement of interest
  • 16-342
  • Special election nominations by delegate convention
  • 16-343
  • Filling vacancy caused by death or incapacity or withdrawal of candidate
  • 16-344
  • Office of presidential elector; appointment by state committee chairman
Article 6Challenge of Nomination Petitions
  • 16-351
  • Limitations on appeals of validity of nomination petitions; disqualification of candidate
Chapter 4
CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
Sec: 16-400-16-711
Article 1General Provisions
  • 16-401
  • Applicability of general election law to primary elections
  • 16-402
  • Absence from employment for purpose of voting; application therefor; violation; classification
  • 16-403
  • City or town elections; duties of officers
  • 16-404
  • Preparation of polling place; voting booths; ballot boxes for paper ballots
  • 16-405
  • Preparation for elections
  • 16-406
  • Public display of voting equipment
  • 16-407
  • Election officers; qualifications; certificates; certification programs; plan; exemption; election training fund
  • 16-407.01
  • Election administration; private monies prohibited
  • 16-407.02
  • Elections training classes; statement; water; registration form
  • 16-407.03
  • Election deadlines; filings; violation; classification
  • 16-408
  • Cost of special district elections; bond
  • 16-409
  • Certain cities, towns and school districts; mail ballot elections; report
  • 16-410
  • Cancellation of certain elections; appointment to office; filling vacancies
Article 2Election Precincts and Polling Places
  • 16-411
  • Designation of election precincts and polling places; voting centers; electioneering; wait times
  • 16-412
  • Effective date of new precincts
  • 16-413
  • Precincts; special district boundaries
Article 4Voting Equipment
  • 16-441
  • Effective date of article; approval of counting equipment
  • 16-442
  • Committee approval; adoption of vote tabulating equipment; experimental use; emergency
  • 16-442.01
  • Accessible voting technology; recommendations; certification; applicability
  • 16-443
  • Authorization of use at all elections
  • 16-444
  • Definitions; applicability of general laws
  • 16-445
  • Filing of computer election programs with secretary of state
  • 16-446
  • Specifications of electronic voting system
  • 16-447
  • Voting devices; inspection; specifications and number of booths
  • 16-448
  • Write-in votes; instructions
  • 16-449
  • Required test of equipment and programs; notice; procedures manual
  • 16-450
  • Location and acquisition of vote tabulating devices
  • 16-451
  • Cost; means of financing
  • 16-452
  • Rules; instructions and procedures manual; approval of manual; field check and review of systems; violation; classification
Article 5Ballots and Supplies; Primary
  • 16-461
  • Sample primary election ballots; submission to party chairmen for examination; preparation, printing and distribution of ballot
  • 16-464
  • Rotation of names on ballots
  • 16-465
  • Arrangement of candidates' names at primary election
  • 16-467
  • Method of voting on ballot
  • 16-468
  • Form of ballot; optical scanning system; sample ballots
Article 6Ballots and Supplies; General
  • 16-501
  • Compliance with primary election law as prerequisite to printing name on ballot
  • 16-502
  • Form and contents of ballot
  • 16-503
  • Duty to prepare and provide ballots; cost of printing ballots and instruction cards as public expense
  • 16-504
  • Antifraud ballot paper; vendor certification; antifraud measures
  • 16-507
  • Presentation of presidential candidates on ballot
  • 16-508
  • Number of ballots furnished each polling place
  • 16-509
  • Delivery of ballots to election officers
  • 16-510
  • Sample ballots; preparation and distribution
  • 16-511
  • Duty of board of supervisors to furnish election supplies to precinct officers
  • 16-512
  • Displaying United States flag at polls
  • 16-513
  • Instructions for voters and election officers; overvote notice; ballot delivery notice
  • 16-513.01
  • Right to vote a provisional ballot; notice
  • 16-515
  • "Seventy-five foot limit" notices; posting; violation; classification
Article 7Election Boards
  • 16-531
  • Appointment of election boards; qualifications
  • 16-532
  • Instruction of election board inspectors and judges; certificate of qualification; optional training; instruction of counting center election officials
  • 16-533
  • Filling vacancy in election board by electors
  • 16-534
  • Inspector as chairman of board; powers; power of board and clerks to administer oaths; oath of members
  • 16-535
  • Election marshal; appointment; powers and duties
  • 16-536
  • Compensation of election board officers
  • 16-537
  • Powers and duties of election officers with respect to special elections
Article 8Early Voting
  • 16-542
  • Request for ballot; civil penalties; violation; classification
  • 16-543
  • Application for ballot; United States service; emergency procedures
  • 16-543.02
  • Federal write-in early ballots; procedure; registration form
  • 16-544
  • Active early voting list; civil penalty; violation; classification; definition
  • 16-548
  • Preparation and transmission of ballot
  • 16-549
  • Special election boards; expenses; voting procedure for ill electors or electors with disabilities
  • 16-550
  • Receipt of voter's ballot; cure period; tracking system
  • 16-550.01
  • Signature verification; procedures; exemption; intent; definitions
  • 16-551
  • Early election board; violation; classification
  • 16-552
  • Early ballots; processing; challenges
Article 8.1Optional Special District Mail Ballot Elections
  • 16-558
  • Special districts; mail ballot election option; conduct
Article 8.2Optional City and Town Approval Voting
Article 9Polling Place Procedures
  • 16-562
  • Preparation and arrangement of polling place with voting booths and ballot boxes
  • 16-563
  • Posting sample ballots, instruction cards and notice to voters before opening polls
  • 16-564
  • Opening, exhibiting and locking ballot box before receipt of ballots; removal and opening of box
  • 16-565
  • Hours polls opened and closed; proclamation of opening and closing polls
  • 16-566
  • Opening and closing of polling place; unused ballots
  • 16-570
  • Conduct of election; duties of officers; placing machines
  • 16-571
  • Poll lists to be kept by election clerk; posting
  • 16-572
  • Delivery and custody of ballots at polling place
  • 16-573
  • Substitution of ballots when official ballots not available
  • 16-574
  • Repair or substitution of machines; use of paper ballots
  • 16-579
  • Procedure for obtaining ballot by elector
  • 16-579.02
  • Election day early ballot on-site tabulation procedure; fund
  • 16-580
  • Manner of voting; assistance for certain electors
  • 16-581
  • Elderly persons; persons with disabilities; inaccessible polling places; definitions
  • 16-583
  • Voter not on precinct register; inactive voter list; procedure
  • 16-584
  • Qualified elector not on precinct register; recorder's certificate; verified ballot; procedure
  • 16-585
  • Spoiled ballots; disposition
  • 16-590
  • Appointment of challengers and party representatives
  • 16-591
  • Grounds for challenging an elector
  • 16-592
  • Proceedings on challenge; disposition of ballot
  • 16-593
  • Rules determining residence of voter upon challenge; reading of rules upon request
  • 16-594
  • List of challenges, grounds and rulings
Article 10Tally and Returns
  • 16-602
  • Removal of ballots from ballot boxes; designated margin; hand counts; vote count verification committee
  • 16-603
  • Inspection of ballots by party representative
  • 16-604
  • Election integrity fund; purpose; exemption
  • 16-608
  • Delivery of ballots; electronic voting system
  • 16-609
  • Questioned legality of ballots; procedure
  • 16-610
  • Uncertainty of voter's choice as cause for rejection
  • 16-611
  • Certain defects invalidating vote for particular office
  • 16-612
  • Determination of write-in choice of voter
  • 16-614
  • Signing of tally lists after completion of tally
  • 16-616
  • Preparation and disposition of unofficial returns
  • 16-617
  • Transmittal of signature roster and precinct registers after election
  • 16-621
  • Proceedings at the counting center
  • 16-622
  • Official canvass; unofficial results
  • 16-623
  • Copy of abstract of vote of certain counties filed with secretary of state
  • 16-624
  • Disposition of official returns and ballots
  • 16-625
  • Electronic data and digital images; ballots; security
Article 11Official Canvass
  • 16-642
  • Canvass of election; postponements
  • 16-644
  • Effect of want of form in precinct returns
  • 16-645
  • Canvass and return of precinct vote; declaring nominee of party; certificate of nomination; write-in candidates
  • 16-646
  • Statement, contents and mailing of official canvass
  • 16-647
  • Declaration of election to office; delivery of certificate of election
  • 16-648
  • Canvass for state offices, amendments and measures
  • 16-649
  • Determination of tie vote; notice to candidates; exception
  • 16-650
  • Declaration of election to office; delivery of certificate of election
  • 16-651
  • Proclamation by governor on amendments and initiated and referred measures
Article 12Recounts
  • 16-661
  • Automatic recount; requirements
  • 16-662
  • Certification to superior court of facts requiring recount
  • 16-663
  • Recount of votes; method
  • 16-664
  • Recount of votes by automatic tabulating system
  • 16-665
  • Determination of results by court; distribution of copies of order of determination
  • 16-667
  • Supplementary nature of article
Article 13Contest of Elections
  • 16-671
  • Contest of primary elections
  • 16-672
  • Contest of state election; grounds; venue
  • 16-673
  • Statement of contest; verification; filing
  • 16-674
  • Contest of county or other election
  • 16-676
  • Time for hearing contest; continuance; findings of the court; judgment
  • 16-677
  • Inspection of ballots before trial; petition; bond; appointment of inspectors
  • 16-678
  • Inapplicability of article to contests of election of legislators
Article 14Ratification of Amendments to United States Constitution by Convention
  • 16-701
  • Applicability of election laws
  • 16-703
  • Qualifications of candidates for delegate; nominations
  • 16-705
  • Determination of delegates; vacancies; delegate bound to vote in accordance with pre-election statement; classification
  • 16-706
  • Meeting of delegates in convention
  • 16-707
  • Organization of convention
  • 16-709
  • Certificate of ratification
  • 16-710
  • Compensation and mileage of delegates
  • 16-711
  • Congressional provisions as superseding article
Chapter 5
POLITICAL PARTIES
Sec: 16-801-16-828
Article 1Representation on Ballot
  • 16-801
  • Representation of new party on ballot at primary and general elections
  • 16-802
  • Representation of new party on ballot for county or municipal election
  • 16-803
  • Filing petition for recognition; submission of petitions to county recorder for signature verification
  • 16-804
  • Continued representation on basis of votes cast at last preceding general election or registered electors
  • 16-805
  • Findings of fact and statement of public policy by the legislature of the state of Arizona concerning steps which must be taken to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens of this state and the safety of this state from international Communistic conspiracy
  • 16-806
  • Proscription of Communist Party of United States, its successors, and subsidiary organizations
  • 16-807
  • Political parties trust fund
Article 2Party Organization and Government
  • 16-821
  • County committee; vacancy in office of precinct committeeman
  • 16-822
  • Precinct committeemen; eligibility; vacancy; duties; term
  • 16-823
  • Legislative district committee; organization; boundary change; reorganization
  • 16-824
  • Meeting, organization and officers of county committee
  • 16-825.01
  • State committee; vacancy; filling of vacancy
  • 16-826
  • Meeting, organization and officers of state committee
  • 16-827
  • Executive committee of state committee
Chapter 6
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENSES
Sec: 16-901-16-961
Article 1General Provisions
  • 16-901.01
  • Limitations on certain unreported expenditures and contributions
Article 1.1Establishment of Committee
  • 16-905
  • Committee qualification; requirements; exemption; adjustments
  • 16-906
  • Committee statement of organization; amendment; committee limitation
  • 16-907
  • Committee recordkeeping; treasurer; accounts
  • 16-908
  • Mega PAC status qualification
Article 1.2Contributions
  • 16-911
  • Exemption from definition of contribution
  • 16-912
  • Individual contribution limits; requirements
  • 16-913
  • Candidate committee contribution limits; requirements
  • 16-914
  • Political action committee contribution limits; requirements
  • 16-915
  • Political party contribution limits; requirements
  • 16-916
  • Corporation, limited liability company and labor organization contributions; separate segregated fund; limits; requirements
  • 16-917
  • Partnership contribution limits; requirements
Article 1.3Expenditures
  • 16-921
  • Exemptions from definition of expenditure
  • 16-922
  • Independent and coordinated expenditures
Article 1.4Reporting Requirements and Disclosure Statements
  • 16-925
  • Advertising and fundraising disclosure statements
  • 16-926
  • Campaign finance reports; contents
  • 16-927
  • Campaign finance reporting period
  • 16-928
  • Filing officer; statements and reports
Article 1.5Biennial Financial Adjustments
  • 16-931
  • Biennial adjustments; committee registration; contribution limits
Article 1.6Committee Termination
  • 16-933
  • Transfer and disposal of committee monies; limitations
  • 16-934
  • Termination statement; filing; contents
Article 1.7Enforcement
  • 16-937
  • Failure to file; penalties; notice; suspension
  • 16-938
  • Enforcement authority; investigation; reasonable cause; notice of violation; appeal
Article 2Citizens Clean Elections Act
  • 16-940
  • Findings and declarations
  • 16-941
  • Limits on spending and contributions for political campaigns
  • 16-942
  • Civil penalties and forfeiture of office
  • 16-943
  • Criminal violations and penalties
  • 16-945
  • Limits on early contributions
  • 16-946
  • Qualifying contributions
  • 16-947
  • Certification as a participating candidate
  • 16-948
  • Controls on participating candidates' campaign accounts
  • 16-949
  • Controls on spending from citizens clean elections fund
  • 16-950
  • Qualification for clean elections funding
  • 16-951
  • Clean elections funding
  • 16-952
  • One-party-dominant legislative district
  • 16-953
  • Return of monies to the citizens clean elections fund
  • 16-954
  • Disposition of excess monies
  • 16-955
  • Citizens clean election commission; structure
  • 16-956
  • Voter education and enforcement duties
  • 16-958
  • Manner of filing reports
  • 16-959
  • Inflationary and other adjustments of dollar values
Chapter 6.1
CAMPAIGN MEDIA SPENDING
Sec: 16-971-16-979
Article 1Disclosure of Original Source of Monies
  • 16-972
  • Campaign media spending; transfer records; written notice; donor opt-out; disclosure of previous records
  • 16-973
  • Disclosure reports; exceptions
  • 16-974
  • Citizens clean elections commission; powers and duties; rules
  • 16-975
  • Structured transactions prohibited
  • 16-976
  • Penalties; separate account; use of monies; surcharge
  • 16-977
  • Complaints; investigations; civil action
  • 16-978
  • Legislative, county and municipal provisions
  • 16-979
  • Legal defense; standing; legal counsel
Chapter 7
PENAL PROVISIONS
Sec: 16-1001-16-1024
Article 1General Provisions
  • 16-1001
  • Applicability of penal provisions
  • 16-1002
  • Counterfeiting or distributing unlawful ballots; classification
  • 16-1003
  • False endorsement, knowing destruction or delay in delivery of ballot; classification
  • 16-1004
  • Interference with or corruption of election officer; interference with voting equipment; violation; classification
  • 16-1005
  • Ballot abuse; violation; classification
  • 16-1006
  • Changing vote of elector by corrupt means or inducement; classification
  • 16-1007
  • Election officer ascertaining or disclosing elector's vote; classification
  • 16-1008
  • Election officer changing vote of elector by menace or reward; classification
  • 16-1009
  • Failure or refusal to perform duty by election officer; classification
  • 16-1010
  • Refusal by election officer to perform duty; violation of election law; classification
  • 16-1011
  • Counterfeiting election returns; violation; classification
  • 16-1012
  • Intimidation of elector by employer; classification
  • 16-1013
  • Coercion or intimidation of elector; classification
  • 16-1014
  • Corruption of electors; classification
  • 16-1015
  • Election wagers; classification
  • 16-1016
  • Illegal voting; pollution of ballot box; removal or destruction of ballot box, poll lists or ballots; violation; classification
  • 16-1017
  • Unlawful acts by voters with respect to voting; classification
  • 16-1018
  • Additional unlawful acts by persons with respect to voting; classification
  • 16-1019
  • Political signs; printed materials; tampering; violation; classification; definitions
  • 16-1020
  • Signing of petitions; violation; classification
  • 16-1021
  • Enforcement by attorney general and county, city or town attorney
  • 16-1022
  • Campaign finance violations; classification
  • 16-1023
  • Digital impersonation of candidate or other person; relief; applicability; definitions
  • 16-1024
  • Deepfakes; candidates; exemptions; civil liability; definitions
Chapter 8
ESTABLISHMENT OF LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
Sec: 16-1101-16-1103
Article 1In General
  • 16-1101
  • Redistricting; legislative district designation
  • 16-1103
  • Legislative and congressional redistricting; census enumeration