Secretary of State’s Office launches pilot program for parties and nonprofits to promote complete, secure online voter registrations 

PHOENIX – The Secretary of State’s Office is currently accepting applications for a new program that will help state-recognized political parties and nonpartisan, nonprofit voter outreach groups securely conduct voter registration drives electronically through Service Arizona. 

The Online Voter Registration Unique URL Pilot Program will allow approved applicants to receive a secure, unique URL for their organizations. The unique URL will allow users to register to vote online via Service Arizona and link those registration records to the organization to whom the URL was assigned. Each successful transaction will be recorded in real time.

“Our goal is to improve efficiency in voter registration efforts and help ensure that the current public health emergency doesn’t foreclose voter registration opportunities typically available through voter outreach organizations. This program provides a way for approved organizations to conduct voter registration drives electronically and for voters to know that, when they register through these drives, their information is secure and their registration is complete and submitted to elections officials,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said. “Not only will this process protect sensitive voter information collected during voter registration drives, it should also increase the number of complete and valid new voter registrations and registration updates.”

Since the organizations will be utilizing the ServiceArizona.com platform, eligibility can be verified immediately through Motor Vehicle Records. Registrants will be notified in real-time if they submit an incomplete form and can correct the issue immediately. Additionally, the unique URL will connect the record to the organization that assisted the voter.  

Initially, 13 URLs will be available: three for the recognized state political parties, and ten for nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations. To be eligible to participate in the pilot program and receive a unique URL, an organization must:

• Be a political party qualified for statewide recognition by the Secretary of State’s Office or a 501(c)(3) organization engaged in nonpartisan voter registration activities; 
• Plan to facilitate at least 1,000 voter registrations and/or registration updates through the Pilot Program by the voter registration deadline for the November 2020 General Election; and  
• Agree to the terms of the Participant Agreement. 

There is no fee to apply, and the application period will be open until May 26, 2020. The Secretary of State’s Office will review applications using a standardized evaluation matrix. Submitted applications will be available for the public to review at the conclusion of the selection process. More information on the program, and the application form is available here:  https://azsos.gov/elections/uniqueURL.  In addition, a telephonic information session will be held on May 15, 2020 at 1 p.m.

WHAT: Online Voter Registration Unique URL Pilot Program Information Session

WHEN: Friday, May 15, 2020 at 1 p.m.

WHERE: 602-609-7472; Conference ID: 879 733 318#

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