If enacted, this bill would amend section 9-821.01 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to require that any election contest must be resolved before a candidate who receives a majority of votes in a primary election is declared elected to a new term in the office of mayor or city council, specifically when the office is currently held by an appointee. The current language stating that a candidate shall be declared elected after the canvass and certification of primary election results would be updated to include the resolution of any election contest as a prerequisite for declaring the candidate elected.

Additionally, the bill would make technical changes to the existing statutes, including the deletion of certain phrases and the insertion of clarifying language regarding the order of seating candidates who receive a majority of votes when multiple candidates are involved. The bill aims to ensure that the election process is fully resolved before a candidate assumes office, thereby potentially impacting the timeline for seating newly elected officials.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-821.01
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-821.01