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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
early ballots; instructions; undeliverable
Purpose
Requires early ballots to be sent in an envelope with directions to mark the unopened envelope "return to sender" and deposit the envelope in the mail if the addressee does not reside at the address.
Background
A county board of supervisors prepares early ballots, including ballots-by mail, to be used in federal, statewide, legislative and countywide elections (A.R.S. §§ 16-405 and 16-503). The county recorder must receive and process early ballot requests and provide early ballots and provide printed instructions to early voters directing the voters to sign the affidavit, mark the ballot and return both in the enclosed envelope (A.R.S. § 16-544). An early ballot must be accompanied by an envelope including the name, official title and post office address of the recorder or other officer in charge of elections on the front of the envelope and a printed affidavit on the back of the envelope (A.R.S. § 16-457). Ballot return envelopes must be of a type that does not reveal the voter's selections and that is tamper evident when properly sealed (A.R.S. § 16 -545).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the officer in charge of elections to ensure that early ballots are sent in an envelope that substantially states:
If the addressee does not reside at this address, mark the unopened envelope "return to sender" and deposit it in the United States mail.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Adopted Strike Everything Amendment.
Senate Action
GOV 02/15/21 DPA/SE 8-0-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 24, 2021
MH/HF/gs