 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
elections; ballot privacy folders
Purpose
Requires an election board judge to provide the option of a ballot privacy folder to a qualified elector along with the elector's ballot when voting at a polling location.
Background
Before receiving a ballot, a qualified elector must announce the elector's name and place of residence in a clear, audible tone of voice to the election official in charge of the signature roster or present the elector's name and residence in writing. A qualified elector must be allowed within the voting area at a polling location after presenting a valid form of identification. For precincts in which a paper signature roster is used, each qualified elector must sign the elector's name in the signature roster prior to receiving a ballot. For precincts in which an electronic poll book system is used, each qualified elector must sign the elector's name as prescribed in the instructions and procedures manual adopted by the Secretary of State before receiving a ballot. An election board judge must give a qualified elector only one ballot, and the elector's name must be checked on the precinct register (A.R.S. § 16-579).
Upon receiving a ballot, a voter must promptly and without leaving the voting area retire alone, except under certain circumstances, to an unoccupied voting booth, prepare the ballot in secret and vote in the manner and substantial form as required by the instructions provided to voters (A.R.S. § 16-580). When an election is ordered, and not less than twenty days before a general or primary election, the board of supervisors must appoint for each election precinct one inspector, one marshal, two judges and as many clerks of election as deemed necessary (A.R.S. § 16-531).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires an election board judge to provide a ballot privacy folder to a qualified elector along with the elector's ballot when voting at a polling location.
2. Specifies that a voter is not required to accept or use a ballot privacy folder.
3. Makes a technical change.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GE 2/3/21 DPA 13-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/24/21 47-11-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 4, 2021
HF/gs