Pushing back on anti-voters bills, Arizona Democratic legislators and Secretary of State partner to introduce pro-democracy legislation

Bills will expand access to democracy for all Arizonans

Author:
Press Pool
Publish date:
Feb 8, 2021

(Photo: Gage Skidmore [CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0])

Bills will expand access to democracy for all Arizonans

News Release

Office of Arizona State Senator Martin Quezada (LD 29)

Office of Arizona State Representative Athena Salman (LD 26)

Arizona State Senator Martin Quezada and State Representative Athena Salman, working with Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, have introduced a package of pro-democracy bills to expand voting access, streamline election administration and enhance election security. After months of anti-democracy sentiment and false claims of election fraud from the former President and even Arizona Legislators, these bills will expand access to our Democracy for all Arizonans.

“Voting is at the core of American Democracy and we should be fighting to protect it, not attack it," Senator Quezada said. “While Republicans continue casting doubt onto a free and fair election, our slate of bills aim to expand access to democracy and remove hurdles Republicans have placed in front of voters.”

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"During Black History month, Republicans are dead set on making it harder to participate in an election for any eligible voter they perceive to be not worthy," Representative Salman said. "Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a test of how creatively one side can hold onto power without majority support. Our plan ensures that our government will still depend on the consent of the governed."

“Some of the election bills proposed by Republicans have no intended benefits and create burdens on election officials’ ability to make voting as accessible as possible and make it more difficult for Arizonans to register and vote, added Secretary Hobbs. "Senator Quezada and Representative Salman worked with my office to find ways to reassure voters that elections in Arizona are secure and accurate. This is exactly what SB1667 and HB2797 are designed to do. It’s time to take the lessons we learned and pass reforms that streamline election administration, expand voting rights, and enhance election security.”

See below for the list of pro-democracy bills that have been introduced:

HB2797 election laws; revisions; appropriation and SB1667 election laws revisions. These Election Reform Omnibus Bills are mirror bills developed with the Arizona Secretary of State to improve election administration and security while expanding voter access.
SCR1042 conduct of elections; voters; rights. Asks voters to enact an AZ Voters’ Bill of Rights to allow registration without unnecessary barriers; Fair districts where voters choose candidates rather than candidates choosing voters; assurance that all Vote By Mail votes will count; Equal access to the ballot box; preserved power of the initiative; and a requirement that elected officials will serve voters, not special interests.
SB1669 voter registration; youth pre-registration. Allows 16-year old voters to pre-register to vote. The registration becomes effective once they turn 18.
SB1668 presidential preference caucuses; independent voters. Changes Arizona’s Presidential Preference Election to a Caucus Election.
SB1670 and HB2750 automatic voter registration; same day. Enacts a same day and automatic voter registration programs in Arizona.
SB1671 early ballot collection; limitations; repeal. Repeals Arizona’s unconstitutional ban on assisting fellow voters engage in the democratic process by ensuring their vote is counted.
SB1672 early voting locations. Allows counties to operate early voting locations up until election day.
SB1673 polling places; drop boxes; campuses. Requires polling place drop boxes at higher education campuses.
HB2344 early voting; weekend hours. Keeps early voting locations open until 7 p.m. on the weekend and Monday before Election Day.
HB2736 presidential preference election; independent voters. Allows voters without a political party to participate in the presidential preference election of their choice.
HB2343 voting centers; board of supervisors. Allows counties to use voting centers as polling places, and to stay open during the weekend before Election Day.