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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
elections; observers; federal candidates
(NOW: federal candidates; observers; elections)
As passed by the Senate, S.B. 1598 allowed a candidate for federal office to designate a representative who may act as an observer at a counting center. The House of Representatives adopted a strike-everything amendment that does the following:
Purpose
Allows a candidate for federal office to designate a representative who may act as an observer at a counting center. Prescribes requirements relating to the conduct of party representatives, challengers and observers.
Background
All proceedings at a counting center are under the direction of the county board of supervisors and must be conducted in accordance with the instructions and procedure manual. The proceedings at a counting center may be observed by representatives of each political party and the public. The proceedings may also be observed by three additional people representing a candidate for nonpartisan office or a political committee in support of or in opposition to a ballot measure. A draw by lot determines which three representatives of the groups or candidates will participate in the observation at the counting center. Parties who are interested in participating in the observation must notify the officer in charge of elections at least 17 days before the election. The county officer in charge of elections will draw by lot, three representatives that may observe the proceedings at a counting center (A.R.S. § 16-621).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows, during the general election, one representative for each candidate for federal office who is designated by the candidate to observe at a counting center.
2. Stipulates, that if more than one candidate from each political party designates an observer at a counting center, then a lottery will determine which candidate may send an observer.
3. Prohibits a candidate who appears on the ballot from being designated or acting as a party representative or challenger.
4. Requires a party representative, challenger or observer to:
a) be allowed to observe the conduct of election officials;
b) provide their own materials and necessities; and
c) pose any questions regarding procedures directly to the officers in charge of elections for resolution.
5. Prohibits a party representative, challenger or observer from approaching an election official's table or equipment any closer than is reasonably necessary to properly perform the representative's functions and obstructing the administration of any election board procedures or ballot processing.
6. Prohibits a challenger from interacting with a voter.
7. Requires a challenger to be allowed to enter and observe in all polling places in the designated county, including the setup and closeout procedures .
8. Makes technical and conforming changes.
9. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
ˇ Adopted the strike-everything amendment relating to federal observers and the conduct of representatives, challengers and observers.
House Action
MOE 3/8/23 DPA/SE 6-4-0-0
3rd Read 5/15/23 31-27-1-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
May 23, 2023
AN/slp