HB2474 is an emergency measure that amends the process for new political parties seeking recognition in Arizona. The bill specifies that any signature sheet for a new party petition that contains signatures collected more than 24 months before the primary election at which the party seeks recognition is null and void. The filing officer is required to remove such signature sheets from the petition and is prohibited from accepting them for filing.
The bill also includes technical and conforming changes, and it becomes effective immediately upon the Governor's signature if the emergency clause is enacted. The measure removes previous requirements for political party petition circulators to register with the Secretary of State and for new political party petition requirements to be strictly construed. The amendments adopted by the Committee of the Whole focus on voiding only the signature sheet, rather than the entire new party petition, and require the filing officer to remove voided signature sheets from the petition.
Statutes affected: Introduced Version: 16-803, 16-803.01, 16-803.02
House Engrossed Version: 16-803, 16-803.01, 16-803.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 16-803
Chaptered Version: 16-803