ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
voter registration; web site
Purpose
Requires the Secretary of
State to provide for voter registration through the Secretary of State’s web
site and to develop a ten year plan for increasing voter registration,
participation and turnout through the use of technology.
Background
Presently, voter
registration forms are available to download from the Secretary of State’s web
site. Individuals who wish to register
must then fill out and mail a printed and signed form to the Secretary of
State’s office. State law requires
voter registration forms to contain the signature of the registrant. Presently, the Secretary of State has been
precleared by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow an individual who
has filled out a signature card to use a personal identification number to
indicate signature in future electronic actions.
S.B. 1154 requires the
Secretary of State to register voters through the Secretary of State web site
with no requirements for signatures specified.
Due to potential for voter fraud, the position of the DOJ, the Secretary
of State and the election officials in each county relating to the signature
requirements is unclear.
The fiscal impact of this
legislation is unknown.
Provisions
1. Requires the Secretary of State to allow a person to complete a voter registration form by using the Secretary of State’s web site and transmit the form to the appropriate county recorder.
2. Allows transmittal to the county recorder to be made via the Internet.
3. Requires the Secretary of State to develop a ten year plan for increasing voter registration, participation and turnout at elections through the use of technology and report its findings to the Legislature by December 15, 2001. Repeals this requirement on February 1, 2002.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 24, 2001