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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
federal candidates; observers; elections
Purpose
Background
All proceedings at the counting center are under the direction of the county board of supervisors or other officer in charge of elections and are conducted in accordance with the instructions and procedures 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. The parties that 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 must draw by lot the three representatives who may observe the proceedings at a counting center.
The county
chairman of each political party may designate party representatives for early
ballot processing, challengers at a precinct polling place and observers at a
counting center
(A.R.S. §§ 16-552; 16-590; and 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, a lottery must determine which candidate may send an observer.
3. Allows the county chairman of each political party to designate a challenger at a voting center in addition to a precinct.
4. Prohibits a party representative, challenger or observer from:
a) approaching an election official's table or equipment any closer than is reasonably necessary to properly perform the authorized functions; and
b) obstructing the administration of any election, election board procedure or ballot processing.
5. Authorizes a party representative, challenger or observer to:
a) observe the conduct of election officials;
b) provide their own materials and necessities; and
c) pose any questions regarding procedures to the supervisor or officer in charge of elections for resolution.
6. Prohibits a candidate who appears on the ballot from being designated or acting as a party representative or challenger.
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. Prohibits a challenger from interacting with a voter.
9. Requires an observer to be a registered voter in Arizona.
10. Makes technical and conforming changes.
11. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 18, 2024
AN/HS/cs