Election Procedures Manual draft to be released for public comment

PHOENIX – The Secretary of State’s Office will release the 2019 Election Procedures Manual draft for public comment on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. The manual helps ensure election practices are consistent and efficient throughout the state.

Arizonans can review the draft at www.azsos.gov, and send feedback by email at [email protected] or by calling 602-542-8683 or 1-877-THE-VOTE (843-8683) by 5 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2019.

“Providing fair, secure and accurate elections to Arizona voters is vital to our democracy. We must have insight from the public to accomplish this, which is why we are inviting people to send us their recommendations,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said.

In addition to accepting written comments, the Secretary of State’s Office will hold two public meetings on the following days:

The current version of the draft includes input from election officials from all of Arizona’s 15 counties.

“County election officials work directly with their communities, which is why their input was invaluable from the very start, and through every step of the way,” Hobbs said.

After the public comment period closes, the Secretary of State’s Office will review all submissions and may follow up with people regarding their feedback. Elections officials will incorporate any necessary changes in response to the public comments and then again work with the counties to finalize the draft.

A new state law will require the Secretary of State to submit an Election Procedures Manual to the attorney general and governor for review by Oct. 1 of every odd-numbered year. They must review and approve the draft before it goes in effect and has the force of law.

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