SB 1638
Initials SJ/BSR Page 1 Transmitted
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
Senate: GOV DP 5-2-0-0 | 3
rd
Read 28-0-2-0
House: GE DPA 11-0-1-1 | 3
rd
Read 32-25-3-0
Final Pass: 24-4-2-0
SB 1638: early ballots; visually impaired voters
Sponsor: Senator Pace, LD 25
Transmitted to the Governor
Overview
Adds an accessible vote by United States mail option for blind or visually impaired individuals.
History
To provide equivalent access to voters who are blind or visually impaired, the Secretary of State
(SOS) is required to consult and obtain recommendations from the following: 1) nonprofit
organizations that represent blind or visually impaired individuals; 2) persons with expertise in
hardware, accessible software and other technology; and 3) county and local election officials
and other persons deemed appropriate by the SOS. The SOS must then submit
recommendations to the committee that adopts vote tabulating equipment for possible certification
in Arizona (A.R.S. § 16-442.01).
Provisions
1. Requires the implementation of an accessible vote by United States mail option for persons
who are blind or have a visual impairment. (Sec. 2)
2. Includes the use of an accessible vote by United States mail option for early voting for persons
who have a visual impairment or are blind. (Sec. 3)
3. Contains a delayed effective date for Laws 2022, Ch. 99 of January 1, 2023. (Sec. 4)
4. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note