Arizona Senate Bill 1011 (SB1011), introduced by Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert) and other Republican legislators, proposes significant changes to the state’s early voting procedures to expedite election result reporting. The Judiciary and Elections Committee, chaired by Senator Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff), reviewed the bill yesterday.
Rogers told the Globe, “We have started this legislative session with possibly the most seminal bill in years, responding to constituent concerns… so important that Senate President Warren Peterson sponsored it with collaboration from Florida who does it right. We are proud to be the party of solutions, but moreover, we have the support of key recorders like Maricopa Co and Pinal Co and AACO, which shows how practical our solutions are for increased efficiency and access to restore Arizona’s faith in our elections.”
Key Provisions of SB1011:
- Early Ballot Submission Deadline: The bill mandates that early ballots must be returned on the Friday before Election Day no later than 7:00 p.m. Currently, voters can submit early ballots up to and including Election Day.
- Extended Early Voting Period: SB1011 proposes adding two extra days to the early voting period to compensate for the earlier deadline, ensuring voters have ample opportunity to cast their ballots.
- In-Person Early Voting: Voters who miss the Friday deadline can still vote in person at early voting locations on the Saturday and Monday before Election Day, provided they present valid identification and complete an early voting certificate.
- Ballot Handling Restrictions: The bill stipulates that only the voter, their family members, household members, or caregivers may handle or return their ballot, aiming to enhance ballot security.
- Public Schools & Govt Buildings: These are to be used as polling sites with no opt-out and absent emergency.
Rationale and Support:
Proponents, including Senate President Petersen, argued in the hearing that these measures would streamline ballot processing and lead to more timely election results. Petersen highlighted that Arizona was the last state to project a winner in the 2024 presidential race, stating, “This legislation will end the frustration. It will increase confidence in our system.”
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Thomas Galvin published a statement immediately after the hearing: “People want election results faster and, when misinformation has more time to fester, it breeds mistrust in our system. He continued, “President Petersen has been instrumental in pushing these reforms forward, and I thank him for his leadership. I support SB 1011 as amended by the Judiciary Committee, and I look forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor to get this done on behalf of voters.”
Continue Reading: https://arizonaglobe.com/election/rogers-champions-petersens-sweeping-senate-election-bill/