 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
voting centers; precinct voting
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, statutorily removes the ability of a county board of supervisors (county BOS) and a county recorder to establish voting centers and on-site early voting locations. Limits an election precinct to a maximum of 2,500 registered voters
Background
By October 1 of each year before a general election, a county BOS must establish a convenient number of election precincts within the county and define the boundaries of each precinct. At least 20 days before a general or primary election, or 10 days before a special election, a county BOS must designate one polling place in each election precinct where the election must be held. On a specific resolution, a county BOS may authorize the use of voting centers in place of, or in addition to, specifically designated polling places. A voting center must allow any voter in the county, after presenting valid identification, to receive the appropriate ballot and to lawfully cast that ballot (A.R.S. § 16-411).
Any election in Arizona must provide for early voting and any qualified elector may vote by early ballot upon request submitted within 93 days before the election. A county recorder or other officer in charge of elections must mail the early ballot to the address provided by the requesting elector within 5 days after receipt of the official early ballots from the officer in charge of preparing the ballots, except that early ballot distribution may not begin more than 27 days before the election. The county recorder may establish on-site early voting locations at the recorder's office which must be open for use beginning the same day that the county begins to mail out early ballots (A.R.S. §§ 16-541 and 16-542).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee fiscal note for H.C.R. 2016 estimates that the resolution would increase county costs by increasing the number of required physical voting sites. Since election day location, staffing and equipment costs are funded by the counties, there is no anticipated impact to the state General Fund (JLBC fiscal note).
Provisions
1. Removes the ability of a county BOS to establish voting centers.
2. Removes the ability of a county recorder to establish on-site early voting locations.
3. Caps the number of registered voters in an election precinct at 2,500 when designating election precincts.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
6. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
House Action
FMAE 1/28/26 DP 4-3-0-0
3rd Read 2/23/26 32-25-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2026
ZD/KS/ci