Assigned to GOV & APPROP                                                                   AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1154

 

voter registration; web site

 

Purpose

 

Allows the Secretary of State to provide for voter registration through the Secretary of State’s web site.  Establishes the Voter Participation and Outreach (VPO) Study Committee 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.

 

Due to a variety of uncertainties, including costs related to technological and process changes, the fiscal impact of this legislation is unknown. 

 

Provisions

 

1.      Allows 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.      Establishes the VPO Study Committee 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 the VPO Study Committee on February 1, 2002.

 

4.      Prohibits the Secretary of State from providing for Internet voter registration until the VPO Study Committee has submitted its report.

 

5.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

6.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

Amendments Adopted by Government Committee

 

1.      Allows, rather than requires, the Secretary of State to provide for voter registration through the Internet.

 

2.      Establishes the VPO Study Committee.  Provides duties and membership.

 

3.      Removes requirement that the Secretary of State develop a ten year plan for increasing voter registration and turnout.

 

Amendments Adopted by Appropriations Committee

 

1.      Adopts provisions of the Government Committee amendment.

 

2.      Prohibits the Secretary of State from providing for Internet voter registration until the VPO Study Committee has reported.

 

3.      Incorporates the study of early voting into the duties of the VPO Study Committee.

 

Senate Action

 

GOV                2/5/01              DPA    5-1-0-0

APPROP         3/6/01              DPA    8-1-3-0

3rd Read           3/15/01                        18-11-1-0

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

 

Adopted the appropriations committee amendment.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 20, 2001