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Consolidated electionsOn Wednesday, April 4, the Senate defeated HB 2826 (consolidated election dates; political subdivisions) by a vote of 11-17. The original bill, which previously passed the House despite the League's opposition, mandates that, with very narrow exceptions, all municipal elections must be held in the fall of even-numbered years.Before its defeat on third reading, the bill was amended in the Senate Committee of the Whole to address various technical issues. The League, however, remains opposed to the bill as amended for a variety of reasons, including: state interference in a matter of purely local concern (particularly with respect to the elimination of spring elections for cities and towns); prospective ballot length and voter fatigue; increased costs and voter confusion; unnecessary and harmful delays for certain types of elections; and difficulties associated with all-mail ballots. On Thursday, April 5, the Senate approved the motion of Senator Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) to reconsider HB 2826. Accordingly, the bill could be scheduled for a revote in the Senate anytime prior to adjournment sine die. The League thanks those senators who voted "no" on HB 2826. Furthermore, we encourage cities and towns to contact their senators to: 1) thank them for rejecting this bill; 2) restate how important it is for municipalities to retain their limited flexibility with respect to election dates; and 3) request that senators continue to oppose HB 2826 on reconsideration. |
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Legislative Bulletin is published by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Forward your comments or suggestions to league@azleague.org. |
