On Monday, House Republicans in Arizona passed House Concurrent Resolution 2016, a measure sponsored by Representative Rachel Keshel. The proposed ballot measure would require in-person voting at designated precinct polling places and eliminate countywide voting centers and on-site early voting locations.
The resolution is intended to address concerns about election transparency and trust. “Arizonans want elections they can understand, observe, and trust, and the precinct model delivers that,” said Representative Rachel Keshel. “HCR 2016 puts Election Day voting back where it belongs: at clearly designated polling places tied to precincts, with reasonable precinct sizes that are easier to staff and manage. Voting centers and last-minute location changes create confusion, weaken consistent procedures, and slow results. This helps restore faith in our elections for Republicans, Independents, and Democrats who expect clear rules and timely results,” according to Keshel.
If approved by voters at the next general election, HCR 2016 would cap election precincts at 2,500 registered voters when precincts are designated. It would also prohibit county boards of supervisors from authorizing voting centers instead of or in addition to precinct polling places. The resolution removes statutory authority for voting centers, emergency voting centers, and on-site early voting locations while striking related references in election administration provisions.
Additionally, HCR 2016 ends the option for in-person voting at on-site early voting locations through 7:00 p.m. on the Friday before an election and removes references allowing Election Day on-site tabulation of early ballots at voting centers.
House Republicans said passing HCR 2016 advances their majority plan priority of securing elections by strengthening the structure of in-person voting while giving voters the final say at the ballot box. The resolution now moves to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
For more information visit the official announcement.
