The proposed bill would update current Arizona election statutes by implementing several significant changes to early voting and ballot submission processes. It would require that voted early ballots deposited at voting locations be received by 7:00 p.m. on the Friday before election day, replacing the current deadline of 7:00 p.m. on election day. Additionally, it would eliminate the provision for emergency voting that occurs between the Friday before election day and the Monday before election day. The bill also introduces new requirements for early mail voters to confirm their address before receiving a ballot and allows county recorders to conduct on-site tabulation of early ballots at any time during the early voting period. Moreover, the bill would mandate that county recorders count early ballots returned at voting locations on election day and post this count online if on-site tabulation is not provided. It would also clarify that voters must submit their early ballot and affidavit at on-site tabulation locations and require counties to test electronic ballot tabulating equipment for logic and accuracy within 50 days before election day. The bill aims to streamline election procedures, enhance voter participation, and improve the efficiency of vote counting while maintaining existing voting rights.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-411, 16-542, 16-547, 16-548, 16-552, 16-544, 16-579.02, 16-579, 16-452, 16-515, 16-204, 16-804, 99-410, 16-153, 16-545, 16-409, 16-1005
Senate Engrossed Version: 16-411, 16-449, 16-542, 16-544, 16-547, 16-548, 16-551, 16-552, 16-579.01, 16-579.02, 16-579, 16-452, 16-515, 16-204, 16-804, 99-410, 16-153, 16-545, 16-409, 16-166, 16-191, 16-1005, 16-531, 16-622, 16-591, 16-594, 16-672, 16-584