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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
federal form voter registrations; reporting
Purpose
Establishes reporting requirements for county recorders to determine the number of persons who vote using a federal voter registration form.
Background
Current statute requires county recorders to count all registered voters and report the totals to the Secretary of State (SOS) as soon as is practicable. In even numbered years, county recorders must count all registered voters on: 1) January 1; 2) March 1; and 3) the last day on which a person may register to be eligible to vote in the next primary election, general election and presidential preference election. In odd numbered years, county recorders must count all registered voters on: 1) January 1; 2) April 1; 3) July 1; and 4) October 1. The SOS must prepare a summary report of the totals and maintain the report as a permanent record (A.R.S. § 16-168).
The National Voter Registration Act requires Arizona to allow voters to register to vote in elections for federal office by using a federal registration form. A person who uses a federal registration form must: 1) attest that the eligibility requirements, including citizenship, have been met; and 2) sign under penalty of perjury (42 U.S.C. § 1973gg). A person who uses the federal registration form to register to vote without providing evidence of citizenship is a registered and qualified elector for federal offices only (AG Opinion I13-011).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a county recorder to report to the SOS and post on the county recorder's website the following, on the dates prescribed by statute:
a) the number of persons who are registered to vote using a federal or state voter registration form; and
b) the number of persons who have not provided proof of citizenship to the county recorder.
2. Requires a county recorder to post on the county recorder's website after each general election the number of ballots cast by persons eligible to vote a ballot containing federal offices only.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ELECT 2/12/19 DPA 5-2-2-1
3rd Read 3/11/19 31-29-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 19, 2019
JA/AB/kja