ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: FMAE DPA 4-1-2-0

HB 2448: voting locations; emergency designation; electioneering

Sponsor: Representative Carbone, LD 25

Caucus & COW

Overview

Authorizes electioneering and other political activities outside the 75-foot limit at all voting locations and removes the ability of a county to grant an emergency designation to a polling place.

History

Emergency Designations

The County Recorder or officer in charge of elections may grant an emergency designation to a polling place if an act of God renders a previously designated polling place unusable, or they have exhausted all options and there are no suitable facilities willing to serve as a polling place without an emergency designation. An emergency designation prohibits electioneering and other political activities outside the 75-foot limit (A.R.S. § 16-411).

Electioneering & the 75-Foot Limit

A 75-foot limit must be measured from the main outside entrance of all voting locations and marked with three notices that meet specified requirements. Electioneering within the 75-foot limit is prohibited. Electioneering occurs when a person knowingly and intentionally, by verbal expression to induce another person to vote in a particular manner, or to refrain from voting, expresses support for or opposition to a candidate, ballot question or political party. Violation of any prohibited activity within the 75-foot limit, including electioneering, is a class 2 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 16-515).

Provisions

1. Removes provisions authorizing the County Recorder or officer in charge of elections to grant an emergency designation to a polling place. (Sec. 1)

2. Repeals provisions prohibiting electioneering and other political activities outside the 75-foot limit of a polling place with an emergency designation. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

1. Establishes the option to designate a voting location as a non-electioneering voting location if the facility is not a government facility and either:

a) an act of God renders a previously set location unavailable; or

b) a location refuses to serve as a voting location unless it is given a non-electioneering designation.

2. Requires all Government owned buildings and facilities to serve as polling places when requested to do so.

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6. HB 2448

7. Initials JH Page 0 Caucus & COW

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