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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
ESAs;
returned monies; administrative code
(NOW: voter access; elections; primary date)
Purpose
Moves, beginning in 2028, the date of the primary election from the second to last Tuesday in July to the Tuesday before the last Monday in May and modifies the filing window for nomination petitions accordingly.
Background
Statutes outlines requirements relating to the conduct of elections, including the timeframes by which certain elections related tasks must be completed. The primary election is held on the second to last Tuesday in July and the biennial general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years. Early voting commences 27 days prior to the election and ends at 5:00 p.m. on election day. For an early ballot affidavit envelope with any inconsistencies, the elector may cure the signature within five calendar days of a primary, general or special election with a federal office on the ballot or within three business days for all other elections (A.R.S. Title 16). Laws 2026, Chapter 1 modified the elections timeline by moving the 2026 primary election date from August 4, 2026, to July 21, 2026.
Any person desiring to become a candidate at an election and to have the person's name printed on the official ballot must file a nomination paper and nomination petition not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days before the primary election (A.R.S. §§ 16-311 and 16-314). Nomination petitions must be signed by a sufficient number of qualified signers equal to specified percentages of total qualified signers in respective districts, as reported to the Secretary of State on January 2 of the year of the general election (A.R.S. §§ 16-322 and 16-341).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Moves, beginning in 2028 and later, the date of the primary election in any year in which a general election or special election is held from the second to last Tuesday in July to the Tuesday before the last Monday in May.
2. Modifies, beginning in 2028, the filing window for nomination papers and petitions from between 120 and 150 days before the primary election, to between 117 and 140 days before the primary election.
3. Requires, beginning in 2028, the number of signatures necessary for nomination petitions to be based on percentages of total qualified singers as reported on October 1 of the year before the general election, rather than January 2 of the year of the general election.
4. Removes, beginning in 2028, the third Tuesday in May as one of the consolidated election dates.
5. Makes conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
2. Moves the date of the primary election to the Tuesday before Memorial Day beginning with elections in 2028, rather than 2027.
3. Beginning in 2028, modifies the filing window for nomination papers from between 120 and 150 days before the primary election, to between 117 and 140 days before the primary election.
4. Beginning in 2028, requires the number of signatures necessary for nomination petitions to be based on percentages of total qualified signers as reported on October 1 of the year before the general election, rather than January 2 of the year of the general election.
5. Beginning in 2028, removes the third Tuesday in May as one of the consolidated election dates.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Senate Action
JUDE 2/11/26 DPA/SE 4-3-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 26, 2026
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