The bill HB2497 requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to provide an online petition signature collection system (E-Qual) for candidates for judicial office and the office of clerk of the superior court. This system will allow qualified electors to sign nomination petitions securely online and will enable candidates to collect up to 125 percent of the required number of nomination petition signatures.

The bill amends Title 16, Chapter 3, Article 2 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding Section 16-319, which specifies that the SOS must provide a secure internet portal for the collection of electronic signatures for nomination petitions. This applies to candidates for judicial offices that require nominating petitions and the office of clerk of the superior court. The system must verify the identity of qualified electors and limit signature collection to those eligible to sign for a particular candidate.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-975
Senate Engrossed Version: 16-319
Chaptered Version: 16-319