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Committee approves sending precinct‑voting measure to voters after counties, advocates testify
Summary
The committee approved House Concurrent Resolution 2016 to send a precinct‑voting ballot referral to the 2026 ballot (4–3), after recorders and county elections officials warned of large up‑front costs and operational challenges, while the sponsor said voters should decide the model.
House Concurrent Resolution 2016 (HCR2016) cleared the committee by a 4–3 vote following extended debate between proponents who want the public to decide whether to cap precinct size at 2,500 and opponents who warned of major operational costs for counties.
Staff told members HCR2016 would, if approved by voters, limit the maximum number of registered voters in a precinct to 2,500 and remove statutory authority for county boards to designate voting centers or emergency voting centers. The measure would strike statutory language authorizing on‑site early voting at voting centers and change related statutory references.
Madam Vice Chair (sponsor) said she has repeatedly run the measure and adjusted the threshold from 1,000 to 2,500 after conversations with local recorders; she argued the ballot referral returns choice to voters. "When the voters have the chance to pick, that's a wonderful thing to me," she said in committee remarks.
Opposition testimony came from the Association of Counties, which said re‑precincting would impose substantial one‑time costs (for example, Maricopa County would need roughly 1,080 precincts to meet a 2,500 cap) and staffing and facility challenges. Tyler Stein of Arizona Action and Sandy Barr of the Sierra Club also testified against the referral, citing accessibility concerns for rural voters and on‑site early voting needs.
Supporters argued precinct voting improves voter confidence and local access. Representative Collin and others said precinct voting was still in practice in parts of Arizona within living memory and urged sending the choice to voters.
After public comment and back‑and‑forth questions with recorders and election directors, the committee voted to give HCR2016 a due‑pass recommendation (roll call: 4 ayes, 3 nays). The sponsor said she is open to drafting compromise language to address county implementation concerns before the measure reaches the ballot.
Next steps: if the referral is placed on the ballot, counties will require planning time to re‑precinct; the committee asked the sponsor and recorders to continue negotiations on timing and implementation language.
