ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: ELEC DP 5-3-0-0 | 3^rd Read: 16-13-1-0 House: MOE DP 6-2-0-2

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SB1265: voting; elections; tally; prohibition.

Sponsor: Senator Kern, LD 27

House Engrossed

Overview

Prohibits the use of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in Arizona elections.

History

In all Arizona elections, the candidate that receives the highest number of votes is declared elected (Art. VII § 7, Const. of Arizona). RCV allows each voter to rank multiple candidates for the same office on a ballot in order of preference rather than making a single choice. After the ballots in the election have been counted, if a candidate is a majority of the electorate’s first choice, that candidate is the winner of the election (CRS Report).

Provisions

1. States for every election in this state, the person who receives the highest number of votes be declared elected. (Sec. 1)

2. Prohibits any city, town, county, or political subdivision of this state from using a voting method that does any of the following:

a) Allows voters to rank more candidates than are eligible to be elected for office;

b) Allows cast ballots to be tabulated in a manner that eliminates candidates through multiple rounds; or

c) Requires the ranking of all candidates running for a singular office. (Sec. 1)

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g)                         SB 1265

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