SB1278 is a bill that amends the process for filling legislative vacancies in Arizona. The bill outlines specific timelines for the county board of supervisors (county BOS) and precinct committeemen (PCs) to nominate and appoint replacements for vacant legislative seats. It also grants the state party chairperson the authority to appoint a replacement if the county BOS fails to do so within the prescribed time frame.

Under the new bill, the county BOS must appoint a nominee within 10 calendar days if the Legislature is in session or a special session is pending, or within 21 calendar days if neither is the case. If the county BOS does not appoint a nominee within these time frames, the state party chairperson must appoint a replacement from the submitted nominees within 3 to 5 calendar days, depending on whether the list was submitted by the PCs or a citizens panel. Additionally, the bill requires the state party chairperson to immediately nominate an alternative qualified elector if a nominee withdraws from consideration. The bill also changes the notification period for PCs meetings from three business days to three calendar days and requires the citizens panel to meet within 5 or 21 calendar days, depending on whether the Legislature is in session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-390
Senate Engrossed Version: 41-1202
House Engrossed Version: 41-1202
Chaptered Version: 41-1202