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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
municipal elections; write-in candidates
Purpose
Requires a write-in candidate in a municipal election to receive at least the same number of votes as the number of signatures required for nominating petitions for the same office in order to advance to a general or runoff election.
Background
Statute states that a certificate of election must not be issued to a write-in candidate for precinct committeeman unless the candidate receives at least the same number of votes as the number of signatures required for nominating petitions for the same office. Additionally, a letter declaring nomination shall not be issued to a write-in candidate of a party qualified for continued representation on the official ballot unless the candidate receives a number of votes equivalent to at least the same number of signatures required for nominating petitions for the same office (A.R.S. § 16-645).
A candidate for mayor or other office nominated by a city at large must obtain signatures from at least 5 percent and no more than 10 percent of a party vote in a city for a partisan election. For a non-partisan election, the city may choose, by ordinance, that the percentages be taken from the total votes in a city or 1,000 signatures, whichever is less. Signature requirements for offices within municipalities vary and are specified in statute (A.R.S. § 16-322).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, to advance to the general or runoff election, a write-in candidate in a municipal election to receive at least the same number of votes as the number of signatures required for nominating petitions for the same office.
2. Requires, to obtain a certificate of election, a write-in candidate for a non-partisan office to receive at least the same number of votes as the number of signatures required for nominating petitions for the same office.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ELECT 2/19/19 DP 10-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/27/19 57-3-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 5, 2019
AG/RC/kja