The proposed bill amends Title 16, Chapter 1, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding Section 16-106, which outlines new criteria for determining voter residency and qualifications for voter registration. The bill specifies that a person's residence is where their habitation is fixed, with homeless individuals' residence deemed to be the location of the county courthouse. It clarifies that leaving one's home for temporary purposes does not change residency unless actions such as registering to vote elsewhere are taken. The bill also states that owning or renting a P.O. box does not establish residency, and that residency for voting purposes does not need to match that of one's spouse.

Additionally, the bill details various circumstances under which a person is considered to have gained or lost residency, such as moving to another state or county with the intention of making it their permanent residence. It also addresses specific cases such as students, members of the armed forces, and those committed to mental institutions. For voter registration disputes, authorities may consider where significant mail is received, among other evidence. Voter addresses must be verified to the standards of the U.S. Postal Service, and those with undeliverable addresses will be removed from voter rolls. The county recorder's decision on voter registration applications is presumptive evidence of residency, and the bill reaffirms that one must be an American citizen to register to vote.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-106