By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona State Senate recently passed a bill aimed at addressing the ongoing shortage of election officers in the state. Senate Bill 1319, sponsored by Senator Tim Dunn (R-25), received strong bipartisan support and is now on its way to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
The bill proposes a change to the current certification process for election officers by allowing certification to occur in even-numbered years, rather than just in odd-numbered years. This adjustment is designed to ensure that Arizona has enough trained personnel to manage elections, particularly in general election years when voter turnout and election complexity tend to be higher.
Arizona law currently requires election officers, clerks of the board of supervisors, or county recorders to hold a valid election officer’s certificate, which is issued by the Secretary of State before January 1 of each general election year. However, the certification process currently only takes place in odd-numbered years, leaving a narrow window to ensure that election officers are adequately prepared for the upcoming election season.
SB 1319 aims to address this issue by shortening the certification window. Under the new legislation, individuals seeking to serve as election officers would be required to obtain their certification before June 1 of even-numbered years, allowing more time for training and preparation before the general elections.
The bill seeks to ensure that election officials have the training they need and that the state is not facing a shortage of qualified election officers by allowing certification in the first half of an election year. This adjustment would also allow for better planning and coordination in advance of elections, making it easier for county officials to recruit and train election officers in a timely manner.
Senator Dunn emphasized the importance of ensuring that Arizona’s election system is well-staffed and efficiently run. “We need to ensure that our election officials are properly trained and certified,” Dunn said. “This bill allows certification for the first six months of an election year instead of in odd years only. When we pursue commonsense solutions, bipartisan election policy is possible, and we can improve and secure the election process for all Arizonans.”
Dunn also praised the bipartisan support the bill received, acknowledging that cooperation across party lines was critical in crafting a solution to this ongoing issue. “I applaud my colleagues in both chambers for coming together and seeing value in this legislation,” he added. “I’m optimistic this bill will make its way to the governor’s desk for signature.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
