Assigned to JUD AS
PASSED BY COW
Assigned to JUD AS
PASSED BY COW
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
Voting Centers
1. Requires a county recorder or another officer in charge of elections to obtain authorization by specific resolution of the BOS to use additional types of voting or establish additional off-site early voting locations, including early voting drop-off centers.
2. Permits a county recorder or another officer in charge of elections to make changes to an approved early voting location.
3. Requires a county recorder or another officer in charge of elections to notify the public and the BOS of changes to early voting locations as soon as is practicable.
4. Permits a county recorder or another officer in charge of elections who establishes early voting locations to continue to operate early voting locations during the three-day period immediately preceding election day.
5. Requires on-site early voting locations that continue to operate before election day to end as needed to ensure that precinct registers and other election materials are revised and updated for use on election day.
6. Permits a voting center to be used as an early voting location and as a ballot replacement location.
7. Specifies that a voting center is a polling place on election day.
8. Permits a voting center to be established in coordination and consultation with an officer in charge of elections that is not the county recorder.
Voting Center Election Boards
9. Requires the BOS to appoint a voting center election board (board) for each voting center consisting of at least one inspector, one marshal and as many judges or clerks as deemed necessary.
10. Permits board workers to be hired to work shifts as long as there are always sufficient workers present to assist voters.
11. Requires board workers to be qualified voters of the county and of different political parties to be represented within each board.
12. Requires an equal number of inspectors in the various voting centers in the county to be members of the two largest political parties.
13. Permits the BOS to appoint a minor who will be at least 16 years old at the time of the election to the board to serve as a clerk of elections if the minor:
a) is a US citizen;
b) is supervised by an adult who has been trained as a board worker;
c) has received training provided by the officer in charge of elections; and
d) has provided written permission to serve from their parent or guardian.
14. Specifies that students who serve on a board are not exempt from school attendance requirements.
15. Stipulates that the BOS or another officer in charge of elections are not prevented from refusing to reappoint or removing a board member for cause.
Miscellaneous
16. Repeals chapter relating to lever voting equipment.
17. Makes technical and conforming changes.
18. 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.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Makes the changes in the bill applicable statewide, instead of only in Maricopa County and Pima County.
2. Consolidates the definitions of voting centers and early voting centers and clarifies that a voting center can be used for early voting and ballot replacement.
3. Removes language requiring the BOS to determine the method and manner of voting at polling locations, including whether voting equipment must tabulate ballots.
4. Permits a county recorder or other officer in charge of elections to make changes to a voting center, but requires notification to the public and the BOS as soon as is practicable.
5. Permits a county recorder or another officer in charge of elections to continue to operate early voting locations during the three-day period immediately preceding election day under certain conditions.
6. Creates boards to oversee voting centers and outlines eligibility requirements.
Senate Action
JUD 1/15/18 DPA 4-3-0
3rd Read 3/8/18 29-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 12, 2018
JA/VR/lat