HB 2378
Initials SJ/BG Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: GE DP 7-6-0-0
HB2378: election lawsuits; settlements; approvals
Sponsor: Representative Bolick, LD 20
Caucus & COW
Overview
Prohibits the Secretary of State (SOS) from settling an elections-related lawsuit without consulting
the country recorders or other officers in charge of elections of the State of Arizona.
History
The SOS is the chief state election officer responsible for the coordination of state responsibilities
under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and the National Voter
Registration Act. Additionally, the SOS is required to establish a toll-free telephone number for
the use of the public to report incidents of voter fraud (A.R.S. § 16-142).
A county recorder, among other statutorily prescribed duties, is responsible for providing, without
charge, a registration form to any qualified person who is requesting voter registration information
and to distribute state mail in registration forms at public locations throughout the county (A.R.S.
§ 16-131).
Provisions
1. Stipulates that the SOS may not settle or otherwise compromise a civil action without
consulting the county recorders or other officers in charge of elections (officers) if a proposed
settlement of an election-related civil action materially affects a county recorder. (Sec 1)
2. Authorizes a county recorder or officers to object to the settlement based on the
impracticability or difficulty of the settlement requirements and to demonstrate or otherwise
provide evidence of such. (Sec. 1)
3. Prohibits the settlement of the SOS from being approved without the consent of the county
recorder or officers if the evidence of the county recorder or officers is sufficient. (Sec. 1)
4. Allows a county recorder or officers to join in any elections-related civil action. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note