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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
county committee; vacancy; precinct committeemen
Purpose
Modifies the process for filling a vacancy in the office of precinct committeeman (PC) and specifies which PCs serve as the county committee in certain legislative districts after redistricting.
Background
During a primary election political parties entitled to representation in Arizona residing in each precinct must designate a member of the political party to act as a PC. The members of the political party must choose an additional PC for each 125 voters or major fraction of voters registered with that party in the precinct. The total number of PCs of a political party make up the county committee. The county board of supervisors (county BOS) on the recommendation of the county chairman, or a committee designated in the bylaws of the county committee, must determine when a vacancy exists in the office of PC. If a vacancy exists, the vacancy must be filled by the BOS from a list of names submitted by the county chairman of the appropriate political party. A vacancy exists in the office of PC if a PC moves from the precinct the PC was elected in or if the PC changes political party (A.R.S. §§ 16-821 and 16-822).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the PCs from the county with the highest number of registered voters in that political party to act as the county committee for a legislative district that includes more than one county when redistricting occurs.
2. Requires the county recorder or officer in charge of elections, within 14 days of receiving a name, to approve or reject a PC appointment submitted by the county chairman of the appropriate political party.
3. Requires the county recorder or county officer in charge of elections, rather than the county BOS, to fill a vacancy in the office of PC from the list of names submitted by the county chairperson.
4. Deems a vacancy in the office of PCs filled once the county chairman submits the list of names to the county recorder or county officer in charge of elections.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2024
AN/KS/cs