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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
voting equipment; overvote notice
Purpose
Requires a county board of supervisors (county BOS) to provide a written notice on or near the voting equipment at a polling location to advise a voter with an overvote or other irregularity on the voter's ballot that the vote for that office or measure will not be tallied if the voter chooses to override the overvote or irregularity.
Background
A county BOS must prepare instructions for the guidance of voters and election officers at an election, which must govern voters and election officers. A county BOS must furnish to the inspector in each election precinct at least two instruction cards, at the time and in the same manner as the printed ballots are furnished (A.R.S. § 16-513). Additionally, a county BOS must furnish a card or poster printed in large plain type containing instructions for marking the ballot and writing in candidates not included in the printed list to be placed in each voting booth (A.R.S. § 16-514).
At least 30 minutes before the opening of the polls, precinct election officers must arrive at the polling place and set up the voting booths so that the voting booths are in clear view of the election officers. The election officers must open and check the ballots, supplies, records and forms and post the sample ballots and instructions to voters (A.R.S. § 16-566).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a county BOS, if the voting equipment used for an election provides for the rejection of overvoted ballots or ballots that contain other irregularities, to provide a written notice advising the voter that if the voter chooses to override the overvoted office, measure or override any other ballot irregularity, the voter's vote for that office or measure will not be tallied.
2. Requires the notice to be posted on or near the voting equipment at the polling location in clear view of the voter.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GE 1/27/21 DP 12-0-0-1
3rd Read 3/1/21 52-0-8
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2021
MH/HF/gs