Assigned to JUDE FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2631
election procedures manual; legislative approval
Purpose
Requires the Elections Procedure Manual (EPM) to be approved by the Governor and the
chairpersons of the House of Representatives and Senate committees with jurisdiction over
election matters, rather than the Governor and Attorney General (AG).
Background
Statute requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to prescribe rules to achieve and maintain the
maximum degree of correctness, impartiality, uniformity and efficiency on the procedures for
voting, early voting and of producing, distributing, collecting, counting, tabulating and storing
ballots. The SOS must also adopt rules regarding fax transmittal of unvoted ballots, ballot requests,
voted ballots and other election materials to and from absent uniformed and overseas citizens and
internet receipt of requests for federal postcard applications.
These rules must be prescribed in an official instruction and procedures manual issued no
later than December 31 of each odd-numbered year preceding the general election. The manual
must be approved by the Governor and AG. The SOS must submit the manual for approval to the
Governor and AG before October 1 of the year before each general election (A.R.S. ยง 16-452).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the EPM to be submitted to and approved by the Governor and the chairpersons of the
House of Representatives and Senate committees with jurisdiction over election matters, rather
than the Governor and AG.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
FMAE 2/19/25 DP 4-2-1-0
3
rd
Read 3/4/25 32-26-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 14, 2025
ZD/AW/ci