SB1135

THE CONTEXT: Spoiled ballots A qualified elector who appears on election day and surrenders their early ballot to the precinct inspector is permitted to vote a provisional ballot. If the county conducts elections using electronic pollbooks and the system indicates that the voter's early ballot has not been returned or accepted by the County Recorder, the voter may vote a regular ballot.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would allow a voter to exchange their early ballot for a regular ballot at their polling place or a voting center in the county on election day, direct the County Recorder or officer in charge of elections to count the number of early ballots spoiled and exchanged for regular ballots, if practicable and in addition to the number of early ballots returned at voting locations on election day, and modify the required statement included in the printed instructions that accompany an early ballot to specify a voter may deposit their early ballot at any polling place on election day or exchange their early ballot for a regular ballot on election day. Inactive Voters and Provisional Ballots.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give Arizonans and public officials a defined option for spoiled early ballots under state law. It would allow a voter to exchange their early ballot for a regular ballot at their polling place or a voting center in the county on election day, and would also direct the County Recorder or officer in charge of elections to count the number of early ballots spoiled and exchanged for regular ballots, if practicable and in addition to the number of early ballots returned at voting locations on election day, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.