Technology (Elections)

SB 1654 appropriates $100,000 from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to reimburse counties for election security measures. Specifically, it funds end-point monitoring of election systems and interception of malicious signals that could disrupt voting. This bill directly affects Arizona counties responsible for administering elections, providing financial support for these security protocols. The measure is currently in early legislative stages (Senate First and Second Readings) and does not alter election procedures or voting rules.

SB 1690 (visually impaired voters; access procedures) requires Arizona election officials to provide early ballots to blind or visually impaired voters, voters with print disabilities, and overseas/uniformed service voters through electronic means (like fax or internet) upon request. Voters can choose their preferred method for receiving ballot materials, and officials must send ballots by specific deadlines (no later than 45 days before an election for registered voters). The bill eliminates the need for paper ballots when electronic delivery is used and establishes emergency procedures for national or local crises affecting voting access. This directly affects eligible voters with visual impairments or print disabilities who need accessible ballot delivery options.

This bill (SB 1793) establishes security requirements for Arizona's electronic voting systems and election equipment. It directly affects county election officials by requiring controlled access to voting system components (using key cards and logs), continuous video monitoring at secure locations (with 24-month record retention), and prohibiting unauthorized access or tampering. The law makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to access voting systems without authorization, publish passwords, or facilitate unauthorized access, while allowing election officials to revoke access rights immediately. It exempts systems deployed at voting locations and includes exceptions for authorized security testing programs.

HB 2655 creates an election security standards committee under Arizona's Secretary of State, requiring input from county election officials, city/town clerks, and technical experts. The committee must develop mandatory security controls for election equipment, create a required self-assessment questionnaire for jurisdictions, and establish a recurring review schedule. Key deadlines include updating security standards by January 1 of odd-numbered years, publishing the self-assessment form by February 1 of odd years, and requiring jurisdictions to submit completed assessments by February 1 of even years. This bill directly affects all Arizona county and local election jurisdictions responsible for election security. The provisions focus on standardized security practices and regular compliance verification, with no mention of funding or enforcement penalties.

SB 1038 requires Arizona county recorders to publish, within one hour after polls close, a public record containing every voter's name, voter ID number, political party registration (if listed), and their specific vote choice in an organizable format. This law directly affects voters by making their individual voting choices publicly accessible and county election officials by mandating this immediate disclosure. The bill prohibits altering or randomizing the original voting records, ensuring the published data matches the election results exactly. It overrides existing privacy protections to make detailed voting data a permanent public record.