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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
voter registration cards; mailing limitation
Purpose
Prohibits the county recorder from providing an initial or updated voter registration card to anyone whose mailing address is outside of Arizona, with outlined exceptions.
Background
A voter registration form requires an elector to provide the complete address of the elector's actual place of residence. If the elector's mailing address is different from the residence address, then the elector must provide the complete address that the elector uses for receiving mail. The county recorder must issue a voter registration card to any new registrants and may, at the discretion of the county recorder, issue a new card to existing registrants who update their name, address or political party preference. The county recorder must change an elector's registration status to inactive if an address correction is returned undeliverable, and the elector does not provide or make changes to the elector's voter registration. If the elector provides the county recorder with a new registration form or otherwise revises the elector's information, then the county recorder must change the general register to reflect the changes indicated on the new registration. If the elector provides a new residence address that is located outside this state, the county recorder must cancel the elector's registration (A.R.S. §§ 16-152 and 16-166; EPM Ch. 1 (IV)(H)).
For certain uniformed and overseas voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), states must accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications from the absent registrant. Additionally, qualified registrants may file an affidavit of registration with the county recorder if the registrant is temporarily absent from the state (52 U.S.C. § 20302; A.R.S. § 16-103).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the county recorder from providing an initial or updated voter registration card to anyone whose mailing address is outside of Arizona, except for:
a) persons who are absent uniformed services voters or overseas voters as defined in UOCAVA; and
b) persons who are residents of Arizona and are not served by a U.S. Post Office in Arizona.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
FMAE 1/29/25 DP 5-0-2-0
3rd Read 2/12/25 33-27-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2025
ZD/AW/ci