PHOENIX — Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has unveiled SB1011, a bill aimed at speeding up election results by changing early ballot drop-off rules.
Under current Arizona law, voters can drop off early ballots through Election Day. Petersen’s proposal would cut off early ballot drop-offs the Friday before Election Day to give elections officials more time to process and count votes.
Addressing Delays in Election Results
Petersen, a Republican, emphasized the need for updated legislation after Arizona was the last state to project a winner in the 2024 presidential race.
“This legislation will end the frustration,” Petersen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show. “It will increase confidence in our system because, sadly, with time, people have less trust.”
He pointed to Florida’s election process as a model, explaining that officials from Arizona, including members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, recently consulted with Florida election officials to study their faster ballot-counting practices.
Balancing Speed and Voter Access
To offset the earlier ballot drop-off deadline, the bill would add two extra days of early voting, which Petersen says ensures voters have sufficient time to cast their ballots.
“So, this argument of somebody trying to say you’re disenfranchising voters is completely ridiculous because we added two more days of early voting,” Petersen said. “And not only that, come on, we have 29 days of early voting.”
Voters who miss the new deadline would still have options. According to the bill, they could drop off their ballots on Election Day at their county recorder’s office and sign an early voting certificate.
Pushback and Concerns
Opponents of SB1011 argue the bill could suppress voters and cause logistical challenges, particularly in Arizona’s large, geographically diverse counties. Critics say the change may disproportionately impact voters who rely on the flexibility of dropping off ballots on Election Day.
Supporters counter that the changes will streamline ballot processing, improve public confidence, and align Arizona with other states that report results more quickly.
If passed, SB1011 would mark a significant shift in Arizona’s election process, balancing the desire for timely results with voter accessibility. The debate over the bill is expected to continue as it moves through the legislative process.