Assigned
to GOV AS
PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
election procedures manual; statutory conflict
Purpose
Allows the Legislature to provide personnel who are experts in electronic voting system procedures and security to field check and review electronic voting systems and recommend statutory and procedural changes. Deems, as unenforceable, any provision of the Elections Procedures Manual (EPM) that conflicts with statute
Background
The Secretary of State (SOS) must create an EPM on the procedures for early voting and voting, and of producing, distributing, collecting, counting, tabulating and storing ballots. The EPM must be issued by December 31 of each odd-numbered year immediately preceding the general election. The EPM must be approved by the Governor and Attorney General prior to issuance. The SOS must provide personnel who are experts in electronic voting system procedures and security to field check and review electronic voting systems and recommend needed statutory and procedural changes (A.R.S. § 16-452).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows the Legislature, in addition to the SOS, to provide personnel who are experts in electronic voting system procedures and security to field check and review electronic voting systems and recommend needed statutory and procedural changes.
2. Requires the SOS to report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate on any recommended statutory and procedural changes to electronic voting systems and procedures and to electronic voting system security.
3. Allows the statutory and procedural changes recommended by the Legislature and SOS to include changes to the EPM.
4. Deems, as unenforceable, any provision of the EPM that conflicts with statute.
5. Requires the EPM to provide for transparency and election security to the maximum extent allowed by law.
6. Makes conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Allows, rather than requires, the Legislature to provide for experts in electronic voting systems and procedures and in electronic voting system security to field check and review electronic voting systems and recommend needed statutory and procedural changes.
House Action Senate Action
GE 1/24/22 DP 7-6-0-0 GOV 3/7/22 DP 4-3-0
3rd Read 2/22/22 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
April 18, 2022
MH/slp