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SB 1098

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWN AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING--COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT PROJECTS IN TIVERTON

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lou DiPalma and 1 co-sponsor

Requires attestation and ID under ARS 16-548 for any early-ballot drop-offs at voting or emergency centers.

05/23/2025 Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1098

Summary — SB 1098 (Arizona, 57th Legislature, 2025)

Title: early ballot drop off; identification — Amends ARS §16-411 and §16-548

Note: The provided document includes fragments from multiple states. This summary focuses on the Arizona Senate Engrossed version of SB 1098 (57th Legislature, First Regular Session, 2025), which amends Arizona election statutes.

Purpose

SB 1098 clarifies and tightens identification and attestation requirements for voting centers and emergency voting centers that accept already‑voted early ballots. The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes §16-411 (designation and operation of precincts, polling places, voting centers) and §16-548 (attestation/identification requirements related to early ballots).

Key provisions

  • Voting centers

    • Confirms that a county may establish voting centers (allowing any county voter to obtain their ballot and vote on election day after presenting identification as required by ARS §16-579).
    • Adds a new requirement: for any voting center that accepts voted early ballots, both the election board and the voter or the voter’s agent must comply with the attestation and identification requirements prescribed in ARS §16-548.

  • Emergency voting centers

    • Retains existing authorization for boards of supervisors, by recorded resolution limited to a specific election date, to authorize emergency voting centers (specifying location and hours).
    • Maintains that electors voting at emergency centers must provide identification under ARS §16-579; county recorders may allow registration updates per Secretary of State procedures.
    • Adds the same attestation/identification requirement (ARS §16-548) for any emergency voting center that accepts voted early ballots.
    • Allows the county recorder to change an approved emergency center location if the approved site becomes unavailable, with public notification and notice to the board — alternate site should be as close as possible.

  • Other provisions in §16-411 (unchanged or restated)

    • Timing and procedures for designating precincts and polling places, consolidation rules for precincts/polling places (including special rules when many listed early voters will not have ballots tabulated at the polling place), school use as polling places, and coordination beginning 2026 for state facilities.

Who is affected

  • County boards of supervisors and county recorders (must implement and enforce the attestation/ID requirements at voting/emergency centers that accept early ballots).
  • Election boards and precinct staff (operational procedures for accepting and verifying early ballots at centers).
  • Voters and voter agents who drop off early ballots at voting centers or emergency voting centers (will be required to complete any attestation and present identification as required under ARS §16-548).
  • Potentially organizations or individuals who assist with ballot drop‑off (may face new verification requirements).

Procedural status (from provided file)

  • Introduced: February 4, 2025.
  • Version available: Senate Engrossed.
  • Status noted in file: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (procedural referral in Senate).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increases verification at voting centers/emergency centers that accept early ballots, which proponents may argue enhances ballot chain‑of‑custody and reduces unauthorized collection (“ballot harvesting”); opponents may contend it adds barriers or administrative burdens that could make drop‑off less convenient, particularly for voters who rely on others to return ballots.
  • Implementation will require county election offices to update training, procedures, signage, and public information about identification/attestation requirements at centers that accept early ballots.
  • The precise scope and operational effect depend on the detailed text of the amended ARS §16-548; review of the full amended §16-548 is recommended for compliance specifics (what attestation and which forms of identification are required).

If you want, I can:
- Extract the full (amended) §16-548 language from the engrossed bill (if available), or
- Produce a short checklist counties could use to implement the bill’s new requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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