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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
citizenship; identification; contributions; early voting
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally requires all voters to show valid government issued proof of identity before casting a ballot and requires all voters to be provided with the option to tabulate their ballot onsite.
Background
In order to be eligible to vote in Arizona, a person must be a citizen of
the United States (A.R.S.
§ 16-101; Ariz.
Const. art. 7, § 2). A person is presumed to be properly registered to vote
on completion of a registration form that contains certain identifying
information and a checkmark or other appropriate indicator that the person
answered "yes" to the citizenship question (A.R.S.
§ 16-121.01). A registrant must additionally provide documentary proof of
citizenship to be registered as a full-ballot voter who is entitled to vote for
federal, state, county, and local races and ballot measures. Acceptable
documentary proof of citizenship includes: 1) the registrant's driver license
or nonoperating identification license number; 2) the registrant's birth
certificate; 3) a copy of the registrant's U.S. passport; 4) the registrant's
U.S. naturalization documents or certificate of naturalization number; 5) the
applicant's federal Bureau of Indian Affairs or tribal treaty card number or
tribal enrollment number; or 6) other documents or methods of proof established
pursuant to the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (A.R.S.
§ 16-166). In order to receive a ballot at a polling location an elector
must present: 1) a valid form of identification bearing their photograph, name
and address; 2) two different items containing the name and address of the
elector that is the same name and address in the precinct register; or 3) a
valid form of identification that does not appear to be the same address as in
the precinct register and one item containing the name and address of the
elector that is the same as in the precinct register (A.R.S.
§ 16-579).
Any election called pursuant to Arizona law must provide for early voting, including accessible voting by U.S. mail for persons who are blind or have a visual impairment. Any qualified elector may vote by early ballot by making a request for a one-time early ballot as provided by statute or by requesting to be on the Active Early Voter List (AEVL) which allows a voter to vote by early mail ballot until the voter fails to vote an early ballot for two consecutive election cycles (A.R.S. §§ 16-541 and 16-544). Statute requires early voters to secure their ballot in a provided envelope, together with the prescribed affidavit, and either deliver or mail the secured ballot to the appropriate county recorder or deposit the secured ballot at any polling place in the county. In order to be counted and valid, the ballot must be received by the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day, or deposited by the voter or the voter's agent at any polling place in the county no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day (A.R.S. § 16-548). A voter may also choose to vote early in-person at any on-site early voting location up to 27 days before the election and until 7:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election (A.R.S. § 16-542).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee fiscal note for S.C.R. 1001, a similar measure to H.C.R. 2001, estimates that, if passed by the voters, the resolution could have fiscal impacts that both increase and decrease the cost of election administration, with most of the impact occurring at the county level. An overall fiscal impact on election administration cannot be determined because changes in the levels of specific voting methods or voter turnout would likely be the most significant contributor in determining whether the measure would result in a net cost increase or decrease for state and local governments (JLBC fiscal note).
Provisions
1. States that, in addition to any other qualifications prescribed by law or the Arizona Constitution, only U.S. citizens may register and vote once in Arizona elections.
2. Requires all voters to show valid government issued proof of identity before casting a ballot in each election, whether voting in person or by any other method.
3. Requires all voters to be provided with the option to have their ballot tabulated at the voting location, as prescribed by law.
4. Prohibits a foreign national from contributing or expending money or anything of value to influence an election in Arizona and prohibits a person from knowingly accepting such contributions.
5. Asserts that Arizona elections must be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.
6. Asserts that the people and the Legislature may enact laws governing elections, including early and mail voting, provided such laws are reasonably connected to a legitimate state interest, including timely and accurate election results, efficient election administration, election security and preserving public confidence in the integrity of elections.
7. Designates this legislation as the Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act or the Fast Election Results Act.
8. States that outlined requirements relating to voter eligibility, voter identification and onsite ballot tabulation requirements are not subject to constitutional requirements relating to initiatives providing for increased revenue sources to cover the immediate and future costs of the initiative.
9. Contains a severability clause.
10. Contains a statement of legislative intent.
11. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
12. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Removes all provisions relating to early voting deadlines and mail-in ballot requests.
2. Requires voters to show valid government issued proof of identity before casting a ballot.
3. Removes the requirement that government issued identification be made available to qualified electors at the expense of the state.
4. Requires all voters to be provided with the option to tabulate their ballot onsite.
5. Asserts that Arizona elections must be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.
6. Asserts that the people and the Legislature may enact laws governing elections, including early and mail voting, provided such laws are reasonably connected to a legitimate state interest, including timely and accurate election results, efficient election administration, election security and preserving public confidence in the integrity of elections.
7. States that outlined requirements relating to voter eligibility, voter identification and onsite ballot tabulation requirements are not subject to constitutional requirements relating to initiatives providing for increased revenue sources to cover the immediate and future costs of the initiative.
8. Makes technical and conforming changes.
House Action Senate Action
FMAE 1/21/26 DPA 4-3-0-0 JUDE 3/18/26 DPA 4-2-1
3rd Read 2/9/26 32-27-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 30, 2026
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