The bill amends Title 16 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically addressing the verification of candidate petition signatures. By requiring random sampling, the bill aims to reduce the workload on county recorders, streamline the verification process, and improve election integrity. This method is anticipated to lead to a more efficient verification procedure while minimizing the chances of fraudulent signatures being overlooked, thereby fostering public confidence in the electoral process.
Summary
House Bill 2845 proposes significant changes to the nominating procedures for candidates in Arizona by introducing random sample verification for candidate petition signatures. The bill mandates that within twenty days following the deadline for filing petitions, a filing officer must randomly select five percent of the total signatures submitted for verification. This selection process is designed to ensure each signature has an equal chance of being included, thereby enhancing the fairness and integrity of the verification process for candidates seeking office.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB2845 may include the implications for candidates and petition circulators. Critics may argue that random sampling could raise the threshold for candidate qualifications, making it more difficult for grassroots candidates without significant resources to gather the necessary signatures. Supporters, on the other hand, emphasize that the process is a practical necessity to uphold election integrity and prevent voter fraud, thus ultimately benefiting all candidates and the electoral system as a whole.
Elections: petitions; provisions regarding ballot initiative petitions, constitutional amendment petitions, and nominating petitions; modify, and provide for the statistical random sampling of certain petition signatures. Amends secs. 482, 482a & 544c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.).
Elections: petitions; statistical random sampling of nominating petition signatures; provide for, and allow for the disqualification of obviously fraudulent nominating petition signatures. Amends sec. 552 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.552).
To Create A License For A Paid Canvasser; To Require The Secretary Of State To Promulgate Rules For A Training Program For Canvassers And For The Licensing Of Paid Canvassers; And To Declare An Emergency.
To Amend The Law Concerning Canvassers For Local Option Elections; And To Amend The Law Concerning Compensation Of Paid Canvassers For Local Option Elections.