HB2319

THE CONTEXT: The general rules of construction for Arizona laws require liberal interpretation of the object of the law and to promote justice unless the manifest intent of the Legislature is inconsistent with such construction ( A. R.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require the liberal interpretation of the provisions of law concerning the conduct of elections in a manner that provides greater transparency and specifies competing interpretations of the provisions of law concerning the conduct of elections must not be given equal weight.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for elections into an enforceable rule. It would require the liberal interpretation of the provisions of law concerning the conduct of elections in a manner that provides greater transparency, and would also specifies competing interpretations of the provisions of law concerning the conduct of elections must not be given equal weight, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.