SB1265

THE CONTEXT: In all Arizona elections, the candidate that receives the highest number of votes is declared elected ( Art. VII 7, Const.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would state for every election in this state, the person who receives the highest number of votes be declared elected and prohibit any city, town, county, or political subdivision of this state from using a voting method that does any of the following: a) Allows voters to rank more candidates than are eligible to be elected for office; b) Allows cast ballots to be tabulated in a manner that eliminates candidates through multiple rounds; or c) Requires the ranking of all candidates running for a singular office; d) e) f).

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make election administration and accountability rules for voting more definite. It would state for every election in this state, the person who receives the highest number of votes be declared elected, and would also prohibit any city, town, county, or political subdivision of this state from using a voting method that does any of the following: a) Allows voters to rank more candidates than are eligible to be elected for office; b) Allows cast ballots to be tabulated in a manner that eliminates candidates through multiple rounds; or c) Requires the ranking of all candidates running for a singular office. d) e) f), rather than leave the current rule unchanged.