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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
polling places; public office spaces
(NOW: polling places; schools; office; appropriation)
Purpose
Requires a state, county, city, town or school district office to provide sufficient space for use as a polling place for an election when requested by the officer in charge of elections.
Background
A county board of supervisors (county BOS) must establish a convenient number of election precincts in the county on or before October 1 each year preceding the general election. At least 20 days before an election the county BOS must designate one polling place within each precinct where the election will be held. The county BOS may authorize the use of voting centers in place of, or in addition to, designated polling centers. A public school must provide sufficient space for use as a polling place for any election when requested by the officer in charge of elections. The principal of the school may deny a request to provide space for use as a polling place within two weeks after the request was made. The principal must provide a written statement indicating a reason the election cannot be held in the school, including if the school does not have a sufficient amount of space or if the safety and welfare of children may be jeopardized (A.R.S. § 16-411).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a state, county, city, town or school district office to provide sufficient space for use as a polling place for any election when requested by the officer in charge of elections.
2. Removes the authority of the county BOS to use voting centers in place of specifically designated polling places.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Appropriates $10 million from the state GF in FY 2024 to the State Treasurer for disbursement to counties for additional personnel, equipment and other election-related costs incurred by the counties to implement the newly prescribed requirements relating to polling places.
2. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing until June 30, 2025.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
· Removes $10 million appropriation from the state GF to the State Treasurer for disbursement to the counties.
Senate Action House Action
ELEC 2/13/23 DP 5-3-0 MOE 3/15/23 DP 6-4-0-1
3rd Read 3/2/23 16-13-1 APPROP 3/29/23 DPA 9-6-0-0
3rd Read 6/12/23 31-29-0
Prepared by Senate Research
June 13, 2023
AN/CS/slp