This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the nomination procedures for nonpartisan candidates. Currently, any qualified elector who is not a registered member of a recognized political party may be nominated for public office without going through a partisan primary election. The bill adds that if multiple candidates for the same office file a nomination petition and qualify, they must appear on a separate nonpartisan ballot during the primary election, provided there is at least one partisan candidate for that office who also qualifies. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes from this nonpartisan ballot would then advance to the general election as the nonpartisan nominee.

Additionally, the bill modifies the arrangement of candidates on the ballot. While the current law places all candidates nominated under section 16-341 below recognized parties, the new provisions specify that if multiple nonpartisan candidates qualify and appear on a separate ballot, the one with the highest votes will be listed below the recognized parties. The bill also includes technical changes, such as adjusting the font size for measure numbers and instructing the legislative council to prepare conforming legislation for future sessions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-341, 16-502, 16-802, 16-804, 16-153, 16-311, 16-452, 16-314