ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

 

HB 2129: write-in candidates; filings; ballots

Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1

Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Overview

Modifies the nomination paper deadline requirement and the form of the ballot relating to write-in candidates.

History

Uniformed and Overseas Voters Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)

Federal law allows United States citizens who are active members of the uniformed services, their eligible family members and those who are otherwise residing outside the United States, to vote in federal elections by absentee ballot. Such voters may cast their ballot through a Federal Post Card Application form or a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot form. States are required to send ballots to UOCAVA voters at least 45 days before federal elections (52 U.S.C. § 20302(a)(8)).

Nomination Paper Deadlines

To be listed on the ballot, a candidate must file their nomination paper and nomination petition between 150 and 120 days before the primary election with the appropriate filing officer. For write-in candidates, this deadline is between 150 and 40 days before the election. A nomination paper is the form filed with the appropriate office by a person wishing to declare the person's intent to become a candidate for a particular office.  A nomination petition refers to the form or forms used for obtaining the required number of signatures of qualified electors, which is circulated by or on behalf of the person wishing to become a candidate for a political office (A.R.S. §§ 16-311, 16-312, 16-314).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAlters the deadline during which a write-in candidate must file a nomination paper from between 150 and 40 days to between 150 and 70 days before the election. (Sec. 1)

2.   Requires the official ballot to include as many blank lines as there are qualified write-in candidates for that office, plus one additional blank line, not to exceed the number of seats for an office. (Sec. 2)

3.   Clarifies that if there are no qualified write-in candidates for an office, the official ballot must include one blank line for the voter to put a mark. (Sec. 2)

4.   Makes a technical change. (Sec. 2)

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8.                     HB 2129

9.   Initials JH           Page 0 Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

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