 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
voter registration; temporary absence
Purpose
Removes the eligibility of certain U.S. citizens who have never resided within the United States to register to vote and cast a vote in Arizona by using the federal write-in early ballot.
Background
An overseas voter, as defined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, who is absent from the voter's place of residence in Arizona and is otherwise qualified to vote may use a federal write-in early ballot in a primary, general or special election for the offices of presidential elector, U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative if the voter applies for an early ballot by 7:00 p.m. on election day and does not receive that early ballot. An overseas voter who completes a federal write-in early ballot may designate a candidate by writing in the name of the candidate or by writing in the name of a political party. If the voter writes in the name of a political party, the ballot must be counted for the candidate of that political party. Any U.S. citizen who has never resided within the United States is eligible to register to vote and to vote in Arizona using the federal write-in early ballot if the voter's parent is a U.S. citizen and the parent is registered to vote in Arizona (A.R.S. §§ 16-103; 16-543.02; and 16-593).
An overseas voter is: 1) an absent U.S. Uniformed Services voter who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from the United States on the date of the election involved; 2) a person who resides outside of the United States and is qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States; or 3) a person who resides outside of the United States and, but for such residence, would be qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States (52 U.S.C. § 20310).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Removes the ability of a U.S. citizen who has never resided within the United States to register to vote and cast a vote in Arizona by using the federal write-in early ballot, regardless of whether the person's parent is a U.S. citizen who is registered to vote in Arizona.
2. Makes technical and conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 24, 2025
ZD/KS/ci