HB 2017
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: FMAE DP 4-3-0-0
HB 2017: voting centers ban; precinct size
Sponsor: Representative Keshel, LD 17
Caucus & COW
Overview
Prohibits the Board of Supervisors from authorizing the use of voting centers, removes
language allowing a County Recorder to establish on-site early voting locations and limits
the size of election precincts to a maximum of 1,000 registered voters.
History
Election Precincts
Election precincts are the smallest units of electoral districts. The Board of Supervisors is
responsible for establishing the geographic boundaries of election precincts and ensuring that
a convenient number of precincts are established to reasonably accommodate voters. Election
precinct boundaries must fall within the existing election districts, including legislative and
community college districts. While Arizona law requires a polling place to be designated
within each precinct, the law also allows for the combination of adjacent precincts in certain
circumstances, exceptions when adequate polling locations are unavailable, the consolidation
or combination of polling places in certain circumstances and the authorization of voting
centers to be used in addition to or in place of specifically designated polling places (A.R.S. §
16-411).
Voting Locations
Arizona utilizes two types of voting locations: precinct-based polling places and voting
centers. Precinct-based polling places are specifically designated for that precinct and require
voters to vote at that specific polling place. Alternatively, a voter can vote at any voting center
within their county, regardless of which precinct they live in. The Board of Supervisors may
decide to utilize either a precinct-based or voting center model, or a combination of both
(A.R.S. § 16-411).
On-Site Early Voting Locations
The County Recorder may establish on-site early voting locations at the County Recorder's
office and may establish additional locations at their discretion. A voter must present valid
identification to vote at an on-site early voting location. On-site early voting locations may
open on the same day that the County Recorder sends out early ballots and may remain open
until 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election (A.R.S. § 16-542).
Provisions
1. Specifies that at the time election precincts are designated, they must not contain more
than 1,000 registered voters. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2017
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2. Prohibits the Board of Supervisors from authorizing the use of voting centers in place of
or in addition to specifically designated polling places. (Sec. 1)
3. Repeals statute allowing the County Recorder to establish on-site early voting locations.
(Sec. 3)
4. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)