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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
early voting; two-factor authentication; pilot
Purpose
Allows a county to initiate a pilot program to test additional identity verification methods for early voters.
Background
During an election the county recorder or county officer in charge of elections must contact a voter to verify the voter's information during the cure period if the county finds inconsistencies between the information or signature provided for early voting and the voter's registration record. If the information on a request for early ballot or for placement on the active early voting list does not match the voter's registration record, the county recorder must attempt to notify the voter by mail, telephone, text or email within a reasonable period if the county recorder has sufficient contact information to do so. When verifying early ballot signatures if the county recorder cannot verify the signatures, the county recorder must make reasonable attempts to contact the voter by mail, phone, text or email to notify the voter of the inconsistent signature and to allow the voter to correct or confirm the signature. Voters may correct or confirm an inconsistent signature until 5:00 p.m. on the 5th business day after a primary, general or special election that includes a federal office or the 3rd business day after any other election. Counties that use early ballots must provide an early ballot tracking system that indicates whether the voter's early ballot has been received and whether the early ballot has been verified and sent to be tabulated or rejected. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections must provide voters with access to the early ballot tracking system on the county's website (A.R.S. §§ 16-542; 16-544; and 16-550).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a county to initiate a pilot program to test additional methods of verifying the identity of early voters, including by use of text messages, email or other electronic methods that may be suitable.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 8, 2024
AN/KS/mg