ARIZONA STATE SENATE

RESEARCH STAFF

ZACK DEAN

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

JUDICIARY & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

JUDICIARY & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

DATE:            February 13, 2026

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to S.B. 1570, relating to security; polling places; citizenship

Purpose

            Requires a county recorder and a county board of supervisors (county BOS) to enter into a written agreement with federal immigration law enforcement personnel to provide for the presence of such law enforcement personnel at all locations in Arizona in which voting is conducted or ballots are deposited for the 2026 general election.

Background

            Statute prohibits engaging in electioneering within 75 feet of a polling place while the polls are open. Electioneering occurs when an individual knowingly or intentionally attempts to induce or compel another person to vote in a particular manner, or to refrain from voting, for or against a candidate who appears on the ballot in that election, a ballot question that appears on the ballot in that election or a political party with one or more candidates who appear on the ballot in that election (A.R.S. § 16-515). Electioneering may take place outside the 75-foot limit, except in the case of an emergency. If a polling place has received emergency designation, electioneering may be prohibited outside the 75-foot limit but permitted inside the facility hosting the polling place (A.R.S. § 16-411).

            Election marshals must preserve order at the polls and not permit any violations of election law from the opening of the polls until the count of the ballots is completed (A.R.S. § 16-535). Election marshals must also, under the direction of the officer in charge of elections, enforce the electioneering ban on election day. Law enforcement officials may be contacted to help enforce the ban in exceptional circumstances (EPM Ch. 9(III)(A)).

            Unless specifically authorized by law, entering an election polling place on the day of any election while carrying a deadly weapon is considered misconduct involving weapons (A.R.S.
§ 13-3102).

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

Provisions

1. Requires county recorders and each county BOS, notwithstanding any other law and for the 2026 general election only, to enter into a written agreement with a federal immigration law enforcement agency to provide for a federal immigration law enforcement presence at each location in Arizona where ballots are cast or deposited.

2. Allows county recorders and each county BOS to enter into such an agreement either separately or jointly with one or more other county recorders or county BOS.

3. Requires such an agreement to provide for the presence of federal immigration law enforcement personnel during all hours in which voting is conducted or ballots are deposited, including early voting locations, election day polling places and ballot drop box locations.

4. Allows federal immigration law enforcement personnel to observe election activities and perform lawful duties within the scope of their federal authority.

5. Prohibits federal immigration law enforcement personnel from interfering with the casting or depositing of ballots, except as otherwise authorized by law.

6. Requires county recorders and each county BOS to coordinate with the Secretary of State to ensure uniform implementation of these requirements across all counties.

7. Prohibits county recorders, each county BOS and federal immigration law enforcement personnel from questioning, detaining or arresting a voter solely for the purpose of determining voter eligibility, except as otherwise allowed under state or federal law.

8. Contains a statement of legislative findings and intent.

9. Becomes effective on the general effective date.