Arizona Republicans introduced a constitutional amendment proposal on Monday that seeks to help end the chaos and mismanagement in the state’s elections.
“Arizonans are tired of excuses and chaos on Election Day. The Arizona Secure Elections Act gives voters clear rules, strong identification standards, and the confidence that only citizens are taking part in our elections,” bill sponsor and GOP Rep. Alexander Kolodin said in a statement. “These are straightforward reforms that put voters first. They ensure our elections run on time, follow the law, and earn the public’s trust.”
Under House Concurrent Resolution 2001, all eligible Arizona voters casting their ballots early (“if” such a process is “authorized by law”) would be required to do so “no later than 7:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the Tuesday general election.” The measure additionally stipulates that “votes shall not be cast or accepted after poll closing times on general Election Day, as designated by law.”
As The Federalist previously reported, Arizona’s late production of election results — a common feature in recent elections — can be largely attributed to an issue within current state law, which allows voters to drop off their early mail ballots by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The large influx of Election Day early ballot drop-offs — all of which must go through the required signature verification process — creates enormous backlogs and delays in producing timely election results.