ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: GOV DP 4-3-1-0 | 3^rd Read 16-14-0-0

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SB 1713: early ballots; identification; mailing

Sponsor:  Senator Mesnard, LD 17

Committee on Government & Elections

Overview

Specifies that an early ballot must include a completed and signed affidavit that is designed to fit inside the return envelope.

History

Current statute requires an early ballot to be accompanied by an envelope that, on the front, contains the name, official title and post office address of the recorder or other officer in charge of elections and on the other side a printed affidavit.  Printed instructions must be supplied by the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections to the early voters that directs them to sign the affidavit, mark the ballot and return them in the self-addressed envelope that is enclosed (A.R.S. § 16-547).

The early voter is required to make and sign the affidavit and must then mark the ballot in a manner that the voter's vote cannot be seen.  Next, the early voter is directed to fold the ballot so as to conceal the vote and deposit the voted ballot in the provided envelope for that purpose, which must be securely sealed and, together with the affidavit, mailed or delivered to the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections.  In order for the ballot to be counted and valid, the ballot must be received by the county recorder or deposited at any polling place in the county no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day (A.R.S. § 16-548).

Provisions

1. Stipulates that an early ballot must contain an affidavit that is completed and signed by the voter and is designed to fit inside the return envelope. (Sec. 1)

2. Allows a special district that is not primarily supported by taxes to provide an early ballot affidavit that is not designed to fit inside the return envelope. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires the affidavit provided by the county recorder and completed by the voter to contain the voter's date of birth and either of the following:

a) The number from the voter's:

i. Arizona driver license;

ii. Arizona nonoperating identification license;

iii. Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification; or

iv. A copy of a United States federal, state or local government issued identification.

b) The voter's voter registration number and an item that contains the name and address of the voter that reasonably appears to be the same as their voter registration address including:

i. A copy of a utility bill;

ii. A bank or credit union statement that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election;

iii. A valid Arizona vehicle registration;

iv. An Arizona vehicle insurance card;

v. An Indian census card;

vi. Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification;

vii. A property tax statement;

viii. A recorder's certificate;

ix. A voter registration card; or

x. Any other mailing that is labeled as official election material. (Sec. 2)

4. Asserts that the voter's completed affidavit that includes the voter's signature and identification and the voted ballot must be securely sealed and delivered or mailed to the county recorder. (Sec. 2)

5. Specifies that a special district that is not primarily supported by taxes may provide an early ballot affidavit that does not include the voter's date of birth and the voter information. (Sec. 2)

6. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)

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10.                   SB 1713

11. Initials SJ  Page 0 Government & Elections

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