On April 30, the Arizona legislature passed HB 2826, which requires that all local governments must hold all their elections in even-numbered years, either at the time of the August primary (for office other than President) or at the time of the November general election.
The bill had failed in the State Senate on April 4 by a vote of 11-17. However, the Senate had then decided to reconsider, and on April 19 the bill had passed by 16-13. It passed the House again on April 30 by 32-28. Opponents fear that the consequences will be a very crowded ballot in August of even-numbered years and November of even-numbered years. Proponents say that when localities hold odd-year elections at various times of the year, the turnout is often very low.
So soon after the Arizona Supreme Court declared that charter cities have the right to conduct elections basically however they want? This is likely to run into challenges.
It would be nice to have more than about 20% turnout in local elections. And I’m not gonna lie, it would be nice to have every other year off as well.
It’s always possible the Governor will veto this bill.
How many MORON State constitutions permit local election law empires to exist ???
Holding elections is now akin to a State of WAR activity. —
Timetables. Deadlines. Load up supplies. Have troops ready to go. ACTION. Like 1944 mini-D-Day events.
What has been the biggest ballot thus far in the U.S.A. — offices and issues ???
i.e. the most legal votes to be cast on such ballot ???
50 plus votes ???
See the judicial bedsheet ballots in some States — 30 plus judges to vote for — plus all the other offices and issues.
ALL paper mail ballots ALL the time.
Keep the snail mail system going ???
A curiosity was one of the senators made a personal statement explaining her vote went through the ballot papers, including a large number of propositions on the City of Scottsdale ballot.
But Scottsdale already holds their city election on August and November dates.
#1 There is an existing law that already sets the dates on which elections may be held. It includes the following preamble:
“While the legislature recognizes that the method of conducting elections by political subdivisions, including charter counties and cities, may be a matter of local concern, The legislature finds and determines that for the purposes of increasing voter participation and for decreasing the costs to the taxpayers it is a matter of statewide concern that all elections in this state be conducted on a limited number of days and, therefore, the legislature finds and declares that the holding of all elections on certain specific consolidated days is a matter of statewide concern.”
The new bill strikes the part about the manner of election possibly not being a matter of state concern,