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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
electoral college; support
Purpose
Declares that the Legislature affirms the importance of the electoral college for presidential elections in the United States.
Background
The electoral college was established by the U.S. Constitution. Each state must appoint a number of electoral votes equal to the combined total of its congressional delegation. The electors must meet in their states and vote for the President and Vice President of the United States. The President of the U.S. Senate must count the votes in the presence of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The person who has the most votes for the Office of the President must be declared the President of the United States (U.S. Const., art. II, § I, cl. II).
The number of presidential electors that will represent the state is equal to the number of U.S. senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress that are elected from Arizona. After the Secretary of State issues the statewide canvass containing the results of a presidential election, the presidential electors of Arizona must cast their electoral college votes for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who jointly received the highest number of votes in Arizona as outlined by the canvass (A.R.S. § 16-212).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Declares that the Legislature affirms the importance of the electoral college for presidential elections in the United States.
2. Specifies the affirmation is made for the following reasons:
a) the founding fathers enshrined the electoral college is the U.S. Constitution because they thought it was the best method to choose the president;
b) the electoral college ensures all parts of the country are involved in selecting the president of the United States; and
c) the electoral college guarantees certainty to the outcome of the presidential election.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
FMAE 2/12/25 DP 4-2-1-0
3rd Read 2/25/25 33-27-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 7, 2025
ZD/AW/ci