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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
general elections; required tally
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, requires the Legislature to enact laws and procedures to ensure that 95 percent of the votes cast in every general election are tallied within one day after election day.
Background
A general election of representatives in congress, and of state, county, and precinct officers must be on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the first even numbered year after the year in which Arizona is admitted to statehood and biennially thereafter (Ariz. Const. art. 7 § 11).
Statute requires statements of tally to be printed to conform with the type of voting machine used in each election precinct where voting machines are used. The designating number and letter on the counter for each candidate must be printed next to the candidate's name on the statements of tally and must provide for the entry of the number of votes for each candidate and the words yes and no over each question (A.R.S. § 16-607).
Statute allows unofficial results to be released during the counting of the ballots by vote tabulating equipment at any time following the close of the polls, except in select circumstances. Statute requires the unofficial results to be open to the public. The result printed by the vote tabulating equipment, to which have been added write-in and early votes, when certified by the board of supervisors or other officer in charge, shall constitute the official canvass of each precinct or election district (A.R.S. § 16-622).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Legislature to enact laws and procedures to ensure that 95 percent of the votes cast in every general election are tallied within one day after election day.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
4. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2025
ZD/AW/ci