Assigned to ELEC                                                                                                                             AS VETOED

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session

VETOED

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2722

elections; option; full hand count

Purpose

Authorizes the county recorder or any person who is designated by the county board of supervisors (county BOS) to count all or any portion of the ballots in an election by hand.

Background

For each countywide primary, special, general and presidential preference election, the county officer in charge of the election must conduct a hand count audit at a minimum of one secure facility. The hand count audit must be conducted as outlined by statute and in accordance with the official instructions and procedures manual (A.R.S. § 16-602).

All proceedings at a counting center must be under the direction of the county BOS or other officer in charge of elections. If for any reason it becomes impracticable to count all or part of the ballots with tabulating equipment, then the officer in charge of elections may direct the ballots to be counted manually while following the requirements relating to the counting of paper ballots (A.R.S. § 16-621). No valid ballot may be left uncounted (EPM Ch. 10 (I)(C)).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Authorizes the county recorder or any person who is designated by the county BOS to count all or any portion of the ballots in an election by hand.

2. Requires, for a hand count of fewer than 100 percent of all ballots, the specific ballots being counted to be randomly selected.

3. Contains a statement of legislative intent. 

4. Makes technical and conforming changes.

5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Additional Committee of the Whole

· Removes the authority of the officer in charge of elections to count all or any portion of the ballots in an election by hand.

Governor's Veto Message

The Governor indicates in her veto message that hand counting ballots is unquestionably less accurate and more time consuming than machine tabulation.

House Action Senate Action

MOE               2/15/23      DPA          6-4-0-0         ELEC              3/27/23      DP          5-3-0

3^rd Read          3/1/23                          31-28-1         3^rd Read          5/15/23                     16-12-2

Final Read      6/12/23                        31-29-0

Vetoed by the Governor on 6/16/23

Prepared by Senate Research

July 19, 2023

AN/CS/slp