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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: JUDE DP 4-3-0-0 | Third Read 17-12-1-0House: FMAE DPA 4-2-0-1 |
SCR 1001: citizenship; identification; contributions; early voting.
Sponsor: Senator Bolick, LD 2
Caucus & COW
Overview
Subject to voter approval, amends the Arizona Constitution to require that the early voting period end no later than 7 p.m. on the Friday prior to election day. Specifies the conditions under which a qualified elector may receive a mail-in ballot. Prohibits a foreign national from making a contribution or expenditure for the purpose of influencing an Arizona election. Requires the provision of proof of identity to vote by any means.
History
Article VII, Section 2 of the Arizona Constitution requires that no person is entitled to vote at any general election, for any office that is elective by the people or upon any question submitted to a vote of the people unless such person is a citizen of the U.S. and is 18 years of age or over.
Statute further outlines that every Arizona resident is qualified to register to vote if the resident: 1) is a citizen of the U.S. and has provided satisfactory evidence of citizenship as prescribed; 2) will be 18 years of age or over on or before the date of the regular general election next following the resident's registration; 3) is a resident of Arizona 29 days preceding the next election, with exceptions for presidential elections; 4) is able to write the resident's name or make the resident's mark, unless prevented by physical disability; 5) has not been convicted of treason or a felony, unless restored to civil rights; and 6) has not been adjudicated an incapacitated person as defined by statute (A.R.S. § 16-101).
Any election called pursuant to Arizona law must provide for early voting, including voting by the use of an accessible vote by U.S. mail option for persons who have a visual impairment. Any qualified elector may vote by early ballot. To be included on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL), a voter must make a written request asking that the voter's name be added to the AEVL for all elections in which the applicant is eligible to vote (A.R.S. §§ 16-541, 16-544).
Provisions
1. Requires that only U.S. citizens be eligible to register and vote once for each available office or ballot measure, in any primary, general or municipal election in Arizona.
2. Prohibits a foreign national from making and prohibits a person from knowingly accepting from a foreign national any contribution or expenditure for the purpose of influencing an Arizona election.
3. Requires each qualified elector to provide proof of identity as prescribed by law to vote in person or through any other means.
4. Mandates that early voting, if authorized by law, must end no later than 7 p.m. on the Friday prior to the Tuesday election, except that early ballots delivered through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) may be accepted until the closing of the polls on election day.
5. Prohibits votes from being cast or accepted after poll closing times on election day, as designated by law.
6. Specifies that a qualified elector standing in line at the time the polls close must be allowed to vote.
7. Allows all qualified electors to be offered an opportunity to receive a mail-in ballot if:
a. the qualified elector made an affirmative request confirming a specific mail address prior to each biennial general election;
b. the qualified elector provided documented proof of citizenship at the time the qualified elector registered to vote;
c. mail-in voting is authorized by law; and
d. any other requirements prescribed by law are satisfied.
8. Allows the Legislature to enact reasonable, nondiscriminatory laws concerning elections that further important regulatory interests, including election security, efficient election administration and preserving public confidence in the integrity of elections.
9. Contains a severability clause.
10. Cites the constitutional amendment as The Safer Elections, Faster Results Act.
11. Instructs the Secretary of State to submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election.
Amendments
Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
1. Specifies that voters must show valid government issued proof of identity to vote by any means.
2. Adds a subsection stating that Arizona elections must be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizens.
3. Requires that all voters be provided the option to have their ballot tabulated at the voting location as prescribed by law.
4. Strikes language requiring that early voting end no later than 7 p.m. on the Friday prior to the Tuesday election.
5. Removes language allowing early ballots delivered through USPS to be accepted until the closing of polls on election day.
6. Strikes language prohibiting votes from being cast or accepted after poll closing times on election day.
7. Deletes language requiring that a qualified elector standing in line at the time polls close be allowed to vote.
8. Removes a subsection outlining the conditions under which a qualified elector may be offered an opportunity to receive a mail-in ballot.
9. Adds a subsection exempting the proposed amendment from requirements related to expenditure referenda under Article IX, Section 23 of the Arizona Constitution.
10. Changes the name of the proposed amendment to the Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act or The FAST Election Results Act.
11. Adds a legislative intent clause.
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15. Initials GG SCR 1001
16. 3/19/2026 Page 0 Caucus & COW
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