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Committee backs bill to rotate ballot name order, sponsors say change reduces alphabetical advantage
Summary
The committee gave unanimous approval to HB 2045, a proposal to require candidates for partisan general-election races be listed a substantially equal number of times in top, middle and bottom positions on grouped ballots beginning in 2027.
The House Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections voted 7-0 to give House Bill 2045 a due-pass recommendation. Sponsor Representative Alexander Collin told the committee the bill standardizes ballot rotation so no candidate gains a persistent advantage from name order. "Statistically, the order of names on the ballot really matters," Collin said, citing studies that show a measurable advantage for top-listed candidates and urging legislative rather than judicial resolution of the issue.
Jen Marsden of the Arizona Association of Counties told the committee election directors support the change and that it "eases the ballot layout and design." The bill would take effect in 2027 and, according to the sponsor, preserves any existing statutory exception tied to gubernatorial results while removing the county-by-county party-rotation prize that can determine order in some contests.
Committee clerks recorded a roll call of 7 ayes, 0 nays. The measure now proceeds to the House floor for further consideration.
