This bill proposes several updates to current election statutes in Arizona, particularly regarding early voting and ballot handling. It would remove specific provisions regarding emergency voting centers, allowing for more operational flexibility without requiring a recorded vote by the board of supervisors. The bill also mandates testing of electronic ballot tabulating equipment within fifty days before election day for counties that provide on-site tabulation, ensuring equipment functionality prior to elections. Additionally, it modifies voter requirements for requesting early ballots and establishes clearer guidelines for returning those ballots, allowing returns via mail, hand delivery, or at voting locations with strict deadlines. Moreover, the bill replaces the term "mail ballot" with "envelope" in the context of mail ballot affidavits and clarifies that if a vote is disallowed, the board must mark the envelope with the grounds for rejection and notify the voter. It also expands early voting provisions, allowing qualified electors to present their voted early ballots at designated locations at any time during the early voting period and on election day. The terminology is updated from "e-pollbook" to "electronic pollbook," and it specifies that if valid identification is not presented, the early ballot must be surrendered to the election board. Lastly, the bill includes a severability clause to maintain the enforceability of remaining provisions if any are found invalid.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-411, 16-449, 16-542, 16-547, 16-548, 16-551, 16-552, 16-579.01, 16-579.02, 16-544, 16-579, 16-452, 16-515, 16-204, 16-804, 99-410, 16-153, 16-545, 16-409, 16-1005, 16-531, 16-622, 16-591, 16-594, 16-672, 16-584