If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes regarding school district governing board elections by requiring that candidates' political party affiliations appear on the ballot alongside their names and the title of the office they are seeking. Currently, as per statute, candidates for school district governing boards are listed on the ballot without any partisan designation. The bill introduces the requirement for the partisan designation to be included, defined as the political party of which the candidate is a qualified elector 150 days before the primary election. Additionally, the bill specifies that these changes will take effect for elections held on or after January 1, 2026. It also includes technical changes to ensure clarity and consistency in the language of the law. Overall, the bill aims to shift school district elections from a nonpartisan to a partisan format, aligning them more closely with other political elections in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-422, 16-502, 16-322, 16-314
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-422, 16-502, 16-322, 16-314