Early voting; weekend hours
If enacted, the legislation would significantly impact how early voting is structured in Arizona, potentially increasing voter participation by making the voting process more accessible. The inclusion of emergency provisions for voters needing to vote due to unforeseen circumstances between specific timeframes introduces flexibility in the voting process. However, it maintains stringent requirements for voter identification, aiming to secure the integrity of ballots while ensuring that voters are still able to cast their votes conveniently.
House Bill 2120 focuses on amending Arizona's election laws to establish regulations concerning early voting procedures. The bill modifies Section 16-542 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, emphasizing the need for a timely and clear request process for early ballots. Voters will now be able to request an official early ballot within ninety-three days leading up to an election, either through verbal or signed submissions to their county recorder or election officer. The bill aims to streamline the early voting process by mandating that the county recorders finalize the early ballot requests and establish on-site early voting locations, which must remain open until the Monday preceding election day at 7:00 p.m.
Despite its potential advantages, HB2120 may face criticism regarding the civil penalties imposed on individuals and organizations that fail to comply with the new early ballot request protocols. For instance, organizations that distribute early ballot requests must adhere to strict guidelines or face penalties, which might raise concerns about voter outreach during elections. Some advocates may argue that these measures could inadvertently suppress voter participation if voters or organizations are unaware of new responsibilities or the severe penalties for noncompliance.