Committee approves earlier mail date for sample ballots in counties without USPS processing centers

The Arizona Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee on March 4 recommended passage of House Bill 2006, a proposal to require county boards to mail printed sample ballots at least 14 days before primary and general elections in counties that do not contain a U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution center.

Michelle, the bill proponent, told the committee the bill addresses counties whose ballots are routed through other jurisdictions and mailed earlier to allow for the extra transit time. "In counties that do not contain a USPS processing and distribution center," Michelle said, "we would be required to mail those ballots earlier to allow for mailing time." (Testimony summarized from committee record.)

Jen Morrison of the Association of Counties told senators the bill is not an Association of Counties initiative but a measure the association supports because some counties’ ballots are processed outside county boundaries. Morrison noted the bill’s intent is to account for mail routing that adds time to delivery: "If your county doesn't have its own distribution center ... we would be required to mail those ballots earlier." She urged the committee to consider operational realities but voiced support for the mailing-change concept.

A committee member moved the bill on a due-pass recommendation. The clerk recorded seven ayes, zero nays and zero not voting; the committee reported House Bill 2006 favorably out of committee.

The committee's action sends the measure to the full Senate with a due‑pass recommendation. No amendment to the bill was adopted at the committee meeting. The sponsor and county officials may provide additional drafting or implementation details as the measure proceeds to the next committee or floor consideration.