SB 1265
Initials JH/IG Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: ELEC DP 5-3-0-0 | 3
rd
Read: 16-13-1-0
House: MOE DP 6-2-0-2
SB1265: voting; elections; tally; prohibition.
Sponsor: Senator Kern, LD 27
Caucus & COW
Overview
Prohibits the use of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in Arizona elections.
History
In all Arizona elections, the candidate that receives the highest number of votes is declared
elected (Art. VII § 7, Const. of Arizona). RCV allows each voter to rank multiple candidates for the
same office on a ballot in order of preference rather than making a single choice. After the ballots
in the election have been counted, if a candidate is a majority of the electorate’s first choice, that
candidate is the winner of the election (CRS Report).
Provisions
1. States for every election in this state, the person who receives the highest number of votes
be declared elected. (Sec. 1)
2. Prohibits any city, town, county, or political subdivision of this state from using a voting method
that does any of the following:
a) Allows voters to rank more candidates than are eligible to be elected for office;
b) Allows cast ballots to be tabulated in a manner that eliminates candidates through multiple
rounds; or
c) Requires the ranking of all candidates running for a singular office. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note