Assigned to ELEC FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2722
elections; option; full hand count
Purpose
Authorizes the officer in charge of elections, the county recorder or any person who is
designated by the county board of supervisors (county BOS) to count all or any portion of the
ballots in an election by hand.
Background
For each countywide primary, special, general and presidential preference election, the
county officer in charge of the election must conduct a hand count audit at a minimum of one
secure facility. The hand count audit must be conducted as outlined by statute and in accordance
with the official instructions and procedures manual (A.R.S. § 16-602).
All proceedings at a counting center must be under the direction of the county BOS or other
officer in charge of elections. If for any reason it becomes impracticable to count all or part of the
ballots with tabulating equipment, then the officer in charge of elections may direct the ballots to
be counted manually while following the requirements relating to the counting of paper ballots
(A.R.S. § 16-621). No valid ballot may be left uncounted (EPM Ch. 10 (I)(C)).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Authorizes the officer in charge of elections, the county recorder or any person who is
designated by the county BOS to count all or any portion of the ballots in an election by hand.
2. Requires, for a hand count of fewer than 100 percent of all ballots, the specific ballots being
counted to be randomly selected.
3. Contains a statement of legislative intent.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MOE 2/15/23 DPA 6-4-0-0
3
rd
Read 3/1/23 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 23, 2023
AN/CS/slp