Grand Canyon Times

Republican Arizona lawmakers are expected to introduce numerous election measures early in the 2022 Arizona legislative session, some of which are modified repeats from last year.

State Sen. Kelly Townsend (R-Mesa), who chairs the Senate Government Committee where election bills are assigned, told the Grand Canyon Times that the election reform picture will be clearer after fallout from “an early scramble” to introduce legislation in the new year. Among other measures, she expects legislation to tighten ballot chain of custody procedures, the imposition of penalties when election procedures are not followed, and tighter security over voting machines.

Other election bills likely to be introduced, as reported by the Arizona Capitol Times, include one by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, (R-Chandler) that would increase from 2% to 5% the number of precincts where a random hand count of votes is required.

Another by Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, (R-Scottsdale) would increase the margin in an election when an automatic recount is required – from 0.1% to 0.5% between the top two vote getters.

Lawmakers have until Feb. 18 to file legislation, and the session runs 100 calendar days from Jan. 10. Republicans control both the Arizona House and Senate.

The Legislature adjourned last year on June 30, leaving Townsend’s sweeping election reform bill, Senate Bill 1241, stranded.

Among other election code changes, Townsend’s legislation seeks to tighten ballot chain of custody and established a procedure for county or state prosecutors to intervene when inconsistencies exist in signatures on early ballots.

Last year, Gov. Doug Ducey did sign election reform bills, including one that purges the list of those automatically receiving early voting ballots by removing the names of those who have not used early voting in either of the last two statewide or federal elections. Another law requires all mail ballots to be signed by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Townsend recently announced that she is a candidate for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. The primary is in August.