Assigned to JUD AS
PASSED BY COMMITTEE
Assigned to JUD AS
PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
voting centers; board of supervisors
Purpose
Grants a county board of supervisors (BOS) the authority to designate early voting centers and early voting drop-off centers.
Background
Statute requires the BOS of each county to establish a convenient number of election precincts in the county and define the boundaries of the precincts by December 1 of each year preceding the year of a general election. The BOS may authorize by specific resolution the use of voting centers in place of or in addition to specifically designated election day polling places. Voting centers may be established in coordination and consultation with the county recorder at other county offices or at other locations in the county deemed appropriate (A.R.S. § 16-411).
Statute permits a county recorder to establish on-site early voting locations at the recorder's office, which shall be open and available for use beginning the same day that a county begins to send out the early ballots. Early ballot distribution must occur at least 27 days before the election. The county recorder may also establish any other early voting locations in the county the recorder deems necessary (A.R.S. § 16-542).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a county recorder or another officer in charge of elections in a county with a population of more than 500,000 to obtain authorization by specific resolution of the BOS to use off-site early voting locations.
2. Requires a BOS to determine the use and location of election day voting centers, early voting centers, early voting drop-off centers at county offices or other locations in the county deemed appropriate by the BOS in coordination and consultation with the county recorder or another officer in charge of elections.
3. Requires a BOS to specify the method and manner of voting in polling places, including whether voting equipment used in polling places must tabulate ballots at the polling place.
4. Requires a BOS to specify by resolution the location, hours and manner of operation of additional voting locations.
5. Defines an early voting center as a facility in which any voter in that county receives and may lawfully cast the appropriate ballot for that voter during the time period for distribution of early ballots.
6. Defines an early voting drop-off center as a facility in which any voter in that county may deliver a voted early ballot to a lawful custodian during the time period for distribution of early ballots.
7. Makes technical and conforming changes.
8. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Exempts county election officials in all counties but Maricopa County and Pima County from BOS authorization requirement for the use of off-site early voting locations.
2. Permits a BOS to coordinate and consult with another officer in charge of elections in addition to a county recorder.
3. Removes requirement that the BOS designate the hours of operation of early voting centers and early voting drop-off centers.
4. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
JUD 1/15/18 DPA 4-3-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2018
JA/VR/lat