HB 2322
Initials JH Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
House: MOE DP 6-4-0-0
HB 2322: early ballots; signatures; guidelines; challenges
Sponsor: Representative Kolodin, LD 3
Caucus & COW
Overview
Designates the Secretary of State's July 2020 Signature Verification Guide as the minimum
requirements for comparison of signatures.
History
Signature Verification Guide
In July 2020, the Arizona Secretary of State's Office released a Signature Verification Guide to
be used as a reference in combination with the County Recorder's specific procedures for early
ballot processing. The guide establishes a two-step process for signature verification in which
specified characteristics of a signature are evaluated (Signature Verification Guide).
Party Representatives and Challenges
The county chairman of a political party represented on the ballot may submit a written
appointment addressed to the early election board to designate party representatives and
alternates to act as early ballot challengers for the party (A.R.S. § 16-552).
If a voter's name is not present on the precinct register the voter may be allowed to vote a
provisional ballot in specified circumstances. When a voter is allowed to vote a provisional ballot,
the elector's name must be entered on a separate page at the end of the signature roster and the
elector must sign in the space provided. Within a specified period of time, the voter's signature
must be compared to the precinct signature roster of the former precinct where the voter was
registered. A county political party chairman may appoint party representatives to be present at
polling places to challenge the verification of questioned ballots (A.R.S. §§ 16-522, 16-584).
Provisions
1. Establishes the Secretary of State's July 2020 Signature Verification Guide as the minimum
requirements for the comparison of signatures. (Sec. 1)
2. Specifies signatures that cannot be verified must be rejected, except in specified
circumstances. (Sec. 1)
3. Clarifies that challengers are allowed to be present and make challenges during the
verification of signatures at polling places, voting centers and early election boards. (Sec. 2)
4. Contains a Legislative intent clause. (Sec. 3)
5. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note