Sec. of State Brewer Forwards Final Procedure on Voter ID at Polls

New Prop. 200 Procedure Requires all Voters to Provide Identification at the Polls

PHOENIX -- Secretary of State Jan Brewer today released the final election procedure which requires all voters to show appropriate identification at the polls as mandated by Proposition 200. This final election procedure follows the agreement reached last month between Attorney General Goddard, Speaker Weiers, Representative Pearce, Senate President Bennett, and Secretary Brewer. The new election procedure defines what forms of identification are acceptable at the polling place and is in line with the provisions of Proposition 200 as passed by the voters this last November.

“This is the culmination of a great deal of work that finally meets the objectives as called for by the voters last year to require voters to show their ID at the polls,” stated Secretary of State Brewer, “I am grateful to the legislative leaders for helping us find a common solution, and am thankful that Attorney General Goddard was willing to sit down and forge an agreement which fully complies with federal and state laws.”

Following the deal between the leaders last month, the Secretary of State's office worked to construct the full details of the procedure in consultation with all 15 county recorder and election officials.

Highlights of the new procedure include:

A voter without appropriate identification will not be given a ballot.

A voter who presents appropriate identification as required in Proposition 200, but whose name does not appear on the precinct register will be permitted to vote a provisional ballot that is verified by the County Recorder before being counted.

A valid tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification will be considered sufficient identification to be issued a provisional ballot.

The voter's mailing address will be added to the official signature roster at the polling place to ensure any voters with a P.O. Box on their identification will be sufficiently covered.

Notice of this new identification procedure at the polls will be included with sample ballots and the Secretary of State's Publicity Pamphlet and mailed to each household with a registered voter.

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, any election procedure put forward by the Secretary of State must ultimately be approved by both the Attorney General and the Governor.

“While it is unfortunate that legal hurdles could not be overcome in time to implement this new procedure for last March, May and this September's elections,” said Secretary Brewer, “the fact is we have worked very hard to meet the will of the voters and we got the job done correctly.” Added Brewer, “As the Chief Election Officer it has been my job to put forward what the voters approved regarding election procedures, and I am proud to have delivered on my commitment.”

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