The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the referendum process in Arizona by granting the Secretary of State (SOS) the authority to enforce strict compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for referendums. This includes the insertion of language that specifies the SOS may enforce these requirements, which emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the referendum process. Additionally, the bill outlines that applications for initiatives or referendums must be complete and correct for acceptance, and it defines what constitutes a "complete and correct application."

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for assigning serial numbers to petitions by requiring that the SOS only assigns a number upon receipt of a complete and correct application along with an accompanying statement of organization. If an application is rejected, the SOS must provide a written statement of the reasons for rejection within two business days. The bill also clarifies the definition of a complete and correct application, ensuring it contains all required information, a description not exceeding 200 words, and is in the most recent form prescribed by the SOS.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 19-101.01, 19-111
Senate Engrossed Version: 19-101.01, 19-111