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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
early ballots; identification; mailing
Purpose
Requires an early ballot affidavit to fit inside the return envelope and requires a voter to include their date of birth and certain permissible forms of identification with the affidavit in the return envelope.
Background
An early ballot must be accompanied by an envelope bearing the name, official title and address of the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections on one side and contain a printed affidavit on the other side. The affidavit must declare under penalty of perjury that the person voted the enclosed ballot and signed the affidavit, unless the person assisted another voter pursuant to statutory requirements. Additionally, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections must supply printed instructions to early voters that direct them to sign the affidavit, mark the ballot and return both in the enclosed self-addressed envelope (A.R.S. § 16-547). An early voter must mark and fold the ballot in a manner to ensure the voter's vote is concealed and mail the voted early ballot to the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections. In order to be counted, the ballot must be received or deposited at a polling place in the county by 7:00 p.m. on election day (A.R.S. § 16-548).
In order to receive a ballot at a polling place, an elector must present: 1) a valid form of identification bearing the photograph, name and correct address of the elector as listed in the precinct register; 2) two different items containing the name and address of the elector as listed in the precinct register; or 3) a valid form of identification with the photograph, name and address of the elector that does not match the address in the precinct register along with an item containing the name and address of the elector as listed in the precinct register (A.R.S. § 16-579).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires an early ballot affidavit to be designed to fit inside the return envelope.
2. Requires an early voter to deposit the early ballot affidavit in the early ballot envelope.
3. Requires the early ballot affidavit to be completed by the voter and contain the voter's date of birth and either:
a) the number from the voter's Arizona driver license, Arizona nonoperating identification license, tribal enrollment card or other tribal identification or a copy of a U.S. federal, state or local government issued identification; or
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 the voter's voter registration address.
4. Outlines permissible items containing the voter's name and address, including:
a) a copy of a utility bill;
b) a bank or credit union statement that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election;
c) a valid Arizona vehicle registration;
d) an Arizona vehicle insurance card;
e) an Indian census card;
f) a tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification;
g) a property tax statement;
h) a recorders certificate;
i) a voter registration card; or
j) any other mailing that is labeled as "official election material".
a) is not designed to fit inside the return envelope; and
b) does not include the voter's date of birth and identification information.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Removes the requirement that a county recorder send a voter registration card to each registered voter at least every two years.
2. Allows a special district that is not primarily supported by taxes to provide an early ballot affidavit that:
a) is not designed to fit inside the return envelope; and
b) does not include the voter's date of birth and identification information.
3. Makes a conforming change.
Senate Action
GOV 2/15/21 DP 4-3-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 4, 2021
MH/gs