HB 2701
Initials JH Page 1 Municipal Oversight & Elections
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
HB 2701: secure ballot containers; pilot program
Sponsor: Representative Nguyen, LD 1
Committee on Municipal Oversight & Elections
Overview
Appropriates 1,500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) to the Secretary of State in FY 2024
for the creation of a secure ballot deposit container pilot program in Yavapai County.
History
The County Recorder or officer in charge of elections can distribute early ballots 27 days before
the election. Early election boards can begin the tabulation of early ballots as soon as they are
received. In Arizona, mailed early ballots must be received by the County Recorder or officer in
charge of elections no later than 5:00 pm 11 days before the election. Voters may also drop off a
voted early ballot on election day (A.R.S. §§ 16-542, 16-550).
Provisions
1. Establishes a pilot program for the use of secure ballot deposit containers to receive voted
early ballots. (Sec. 1)
2. Specifies only a county with a population of more than 230,000 persons and less than 400,000
persons may establish and implement this program. (Sec. 1)
3. States each secure ballot deposit container must unlock by the use of a card or similar means
issued to the voter by the County Recorder for the purpose of depositing ballots. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires the secure ballot deposit containers to provide for the secure retention of voted
ballots until accessed by authorized election personnel for verification and tabulation. (Sec. 1)
5. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF to the Secretary of State in FY 2024 for
disbursement to a County Recorder to implement this law. (Sec. 2)
6. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note