This bill proposes several updates to current election statutes in Arizona. It introduces special election boards that the county recorder or officer in charge of elections may provide for, replacing the previous provisions for special election boards and emergency balloting. Additionally, it mandates that the county recorder shall establish on-site early voting locations, which must remain open until 7:00 p.m. on the weekend before election day and until at least 3:00 p.m. on the Monday before election day, enhancing accessibility for voters. Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for handling early ballots. It specifies that early ballots returned at voting locations on election day may be removed by two authorized election workers from different political parties, who must maintain a chain of custody log. This log will be available for public inspection within 48 hours after election day. The bill also clarifies that voters may choose to provide identification when presenting their mailed early ballot, and if they do, the mail affidavit will be stamped "ID verified," allowing the ballot to be deemed ready for tabulation without further signature verification.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-246, 16-542, 16-550, 16-552, 16-572, 16-579, 16-543, 16-543.02, 16-452, 16-551, 16-804, 99-410, 16-153, 16-545, 16-544, 16-409, 16-579.02, 16-550.01, 16-168, 16-602, 16-449, 16-191, 16-591, 16-594, 16-672, 16-584