Bill
HB 2804
Arizona HB 2804 tightens mail-in sample ballots by delaying mail-out to at least 14 days before elections and requires colored/identified official ballots with restricted return ad
Note: the materials you provided include conflicting texts from multiple bills (an Arizona election-measures bill and unrelated Illinois controlled‑substances language), and an initial title referencing the “Psychiatric Security Review Board” that does not appear in the bill text. Below I summarize the enacted Arizona measure that is reflected in the body of the document (amendments to Arizona Revised Statutes §§16‑461 and 16‑510) and note the document conflicts at the end. If you intended a different HB 2804 (the Psychiatric Security Review Board or the Illinois fentanyl bill), tell me which and I will summarize that bill instead.
Summary — Arizona HB 2804 (Chapter 56, 2025 Laws). Effective May 12, 2025
Purpose and intent
- Amend Arizona election statutes governing preparation, review, printing and mailing of sample ballots for primary and general elections, and tighten certain mailing and labeling rules for mailer‑type sample ballots.
Key provisions and changes
- Timeline for ballot proofs and review
- Election officer must prepare a proof of a sample ballot at least 45 days before a primary; submit party proofs to county (or city/town) party chairmen and mail proofs to candidates who filed nomination papers.
- County party chairmen and candidates (who provided and confirmed an email) have two calendar days after receipt to suggest changes; the election officer must correct any found error or omission.
- County chairmen may request one sample primary ballot per precinct no later than 40 days before the primary.
- Mail‑out timing changed from “at least eleven days” to “at least fourteen days” before a primary or general election for mailer‑type sample ballots sent to households containing registered voters (except those on the active early voting list under §16‑544).
- Format and distribution
- Official sample ballots must be printed on colored paper or white paper with a differently colored stripe per party represented.
- Alternative/reduced‑size formats are permitted for voters not registered with a party that retains ballot representation under §16‑804.
- Boards of supervisors must print and distribute sample ballots at polling places as needed.
- Cities, towns and special districts may print mailed sample ballots for their elections and must bear the cost and handle distribution if they choose to do so.
- Cost reimbursement
- Boards of supervisors present a certified claim to the Secretary of State for actual printing, labeling and postage costs of sample ballots mailed; the Secretary of State shall pay authenticated claims from the office’s funds.
- Labeling and identification restrictions
- The return address on mailer‑type sample ballots may not contain the name of an appointed or elected public officer, nor may such a name be used to indicate who produced the sample ballot.
- The mailing face must show the great seal of Arizona with the words “official voting materials” (local jurisdiction seals may substitute for county/city/town elections).
Who is affected
- County election officers, boards of supervisors, city/town and special district governments (administration and costs), political party county chairmen and candidates (proof review rights), registered voters (receipt of mailed sample ballots), and the Secretary of State (payment of certified claims).
Procedural/timeline aspects
- Bill enacted as Chapter 56 (2025 Laws); Governor signed; effective May 12, 2025. Practical impacts (e.g., administrative workload, cost changes) apply immediately for elections scheduled after the effective date.
Document conflicts to note
- The packet you supplied also includes unrelated Illinois HB2804 language about fentanyl penalties and numerous Illinois legislative actions and sponsors (Rep. Tony McCombie, etc.). The very first title you provided (“Relating to the Psychiatric Security Review Board; and declaring an emergency”) does not match the Arizona sample‑ballot text. If you want a summary of the Psychiatric Security Review Board measure or the Illinois controlled‑substances HB2804, please specify which bill and I will prepare a focused summary.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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