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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
VETOED
electoral college; support
Purpose
Declares that the Legislature affirms the importance of the electoral college.
Background
The electoral college was established by the U.S. Constitution. Each state must appoint a number of electoral votes equal to the combined total of its congressional delegation. The electors must meet in their states and vote for the President and Vice-President of the United States. The President of the U.S. Senate must count the votes in the presence of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The person who has the most votes for the Office of the President must be declared the President of the United States (U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section I, Clause II).
A number of presidential electors equal to the number of U.S. Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress must be elected from Arizona. After the Secretary of State issues the statewide canvass containing the results of a presidential election, the presidential electors of Arizona must cast their electoral college votes for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who jointly received the highest number of votes in Arizona as outlined by the canvass (A.R.S. § 16-212).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Declares that the Legislature affirms the importance of the electoral college for presidential elections in the United States for the following reasons:
a) the founding fathers enshrined the electoral college in the U.S. Constitution because they thought it was the best method for choosing the U.S. President;
b) the electoral college ensures that all parts of the country are involved in selecting the U.S. President; and
c) the electoral college guarantees certainty to the outcome of the presidential election.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Governor's Veto Message
The Governor indicates in her veto message that H.B. 2477 solely expresses legislative opinion and would be better served as a House Resolution.
House Action Senate Action
MOE 1/25/23 DP 6-4-0-0 ELEC 3/6/23 DP 5-3-0
3rd Read 2/21/23 31-29-0 3rd Read 3/29/23 16-13-1
Vetoed by the Governor on 4/5/23
Prepared by Senate Research
April 5, 2023
AN/CS/slp