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Committee advances SB1687 to move Arizona primary to the week before Memorial Day; counties urge additional calendar fixes
Summary
The committee gave SB1687 a due-pass recommendation on an amendment that would move the 2027 primary to the Tuesday before Memorial Day. County election officials said the idea has merit but cautioned the bill needs language for consolidated election dates, filing windows, petition signature deadlines, and redistricting timing.
The Arizona Senate Judiciary & Elections Committee voted to give SB1687, as amended, a due-pass recommendation after staff described a strike-everything amendment that would change the primary election date beginning in 2027 to "the Tuesday before Memorial Day."
Committee staff explained the amendment moves the primary from the second-to-last Tuesday in July to an earlier date — in plain terms, the Tuesday before the last Monday in May — to create greater time between the primary and the general election.
Jen Morrison of the Association of Counties testified that election officials "have long wanted more time between the primary and the general" and that the topic has been discussed since 2024. Morrison said county officials generally "are okay with that," but warned the committee the bill needs additional language to address consolidated election dates, whether cities retain August election options, impacts on polling place availability when schools are closed, candidate filing deadlines, petition-signature collection timing and precincting/redistricting calendar coordination.
A committee member moved to adopt the recommended amendment and move SB1687. During roll call, the clerk recorded four ayes and three noes. The committee gave SB1687, as amended, a due-pass recommendation.
What happens next: The bill moves to the Senate floor; sponsors and county officials will need to resolve technical calendar language and filing windows before final passage to avoid unintended administrative conflicts.
