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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
election officials; oversight; candidates
Purpose
Prohibits a public officer or employee whose duties include election administration or operations from engaging in those election duties if the officer or employee is a candidate on the ballot for that election.
Background
The Secretary of State (SOS) is the chief elections officer for Arizona, and is responsible for: 1) certifying state election results; 2) serving as the filing officer for various candidates and ballot measures; 3) producing the Elections Procedures Manual; 4) certifying election equipment; 5) conducting logic and accuracy testing; and 6) maintaining the statewide voter registration database (A.R.S. §§ 16-138; 16-142; 16-151; 16-311; 16-452; and 16-642; A.R.S. Title 16, Chapter 4, Article 4).
County recorders are primarily charged with: 1) processing and maintaining voter registration records; 2) mailing out early ballots; and verifying early ballot affidavits and signatures (A.R.S. Title 16, Chapter 1, Article 5; and Title 16, Chapter 4, Article 8). A county board of supervisors has more specific election related duties, including determining election day polling places and emergency early voting locations (A.R.S. § 16-411). Furthermore, county election directors are responsible for the conduct of elections on election day, and ballot tabulation (A.R.S. Title 16, Chapter 4, Article 9).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a public officer or employee whose duties include any aspect of election administration or operations from engaging in those election duties if the officer or employee is a candidate on the ballot for that election.
2. Exempts precinct committeemen from this prohibition.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 14, 2025
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