HB2722

THE CONTEXT: For each countywide primary, special, general and presidential preference election, the county officer in charge of the election must conduct a hand count audit at a minimum of one secure facility. The hand count audit must be conducted as outlined by statute and in accordance with the official instructions and procedures manual ( A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Authorizes the county recorder or any person who is designated by the county board of supervisors (county BOS) to count all or any portion of the ballots in an election by hand.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give Arizonans and public officials a defined option for elections under state law. It would authorize the county recorder or any person who is designated by the county BOS to count all or any portion of the ballots in an election by hand, and would also requires, for a hand count of fewer than 100 percent of all ballots, the specific ballots being counted to be randomly selected, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.