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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
elections; recount margin
Purpose
Increases, from one-tenth of one percent or a set number of votes to one-half of one percent, the trigger for an automatic recount in a primary or general election. Removes the automatic recount exemption for certain elected offices.
Background
An automatic recount must be conducted when the canvass of returns in a primary or general election shows the margin between two candidates or for or against a ballot measure is less than or equal to the lesser of: 1.) one-tenth of one percent; 2) 200 votes for offices filled by state electors in which more than 25,000 votes are cast; 3) 50 votes for offices filled by state electors in which 25,000 or less votes are cast; 4) 200 votes for ballot measures; 5) 50 votes for a Member of the Legislature; or 6) 10 votes in offices filled by electors of a city, town, county or subdivision thereof. The automatic recount triggers do not apply to elections for precinct committeemen, school district governing boards, community college district governing boards, fire district boards, fire district chiefs, fire district secretary-treasurers or boards of other special districts (A.R.S. § 16-661). After the recount is conducted, the results must be presented in the appropriate superior court, which must announce the results and enter an order setting forth its determination (A.R.S. § 16-665).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Replaces, with an automatic recount trigger of one-half of one percent of total votes cast, the current automatic recount trigger of the lesser of one-tenth of one percent or a set number of votes depending upon the type of election
2. Removes the automatic recount exemption for elections for precinct committeemen, school district governing boards, community college district governing boards, fire district boards, fire district chiefs, fire district secretary-treasurers and boards of other special districts.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 19, 2021
MH/gs