Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Secretary of State issued the following announcement on Aug. 13.

The Secretary of State's Office has released the 2021 Elections Procedures Manual draft for public comment on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. The manual helps ensure election practices are consistent and efficient throughout the state.

Arizonans can review the draft at https://azsos.gov/node/1015 and send feedback by email to proceduresmanual@azsos.gov(link sends e-mail) by 5 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2021.

"The public comment period allows Arizonans to provide their insight and feedback into our state's election processes," Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said. "We encourage the public to submit their recommendations to our office before the deadline."

In addition to accepting written comments, the Secretary of State's Office will hold two virtual public meetings via Zoom on the following days:  

 What: Elections Procedures Manual Virtual Town Hall

When: Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, 9am – 11am

Register here: https://bit.ly/3lIm4Rk(link is external)

 What: Elections Procedures Manual Virtual Town Hall

When: Thurs, Sept. 2, 2021, 5:30pm – 7:30 pm

Register here: https://bit.ly/3AmO7K2(link is external)

 The current version of the draft incorporates legislative and other updates, including input from election officials from all of Arizona's 15 counties.

"The Arizona Secretary of State's Office works closely with county election officials during the entire process. The counties work directly with their communities, which is why their involvement was crucial from start to finish," Hobbs said.

After the public comment period closes, the Secretary of State's Office will review all submissions and may follow up with people regarding their feedback. The Secretary of State's Office will incorporate any necessary changes in response to the public comments and again work with the counties to finalize the draft for submission to the governor and attorney general.

State law requires the Secretary of State Submit an updated Elections Procedures Manual to the governor and attorney general for review by Oct. 1 of every odd-numbered year. The governor and attorney must review and approve the draft by Dec. 31.

Original source can be found here.