Arizona Laws 16-452. Rules; instructions and procedures manual; approval of manual; field check and review of systems; violation; classification
A. After consultation with each county board of supervisors or other officer in charge of elections, the secretary of state shall prescribe rules to achieve and maintain the maximum degree of correctness, impartiality, uniformity and efficiency on the procedures for early voting and voting, and of producing, distributing, collecting, counting, tabulating and storing ballots. The secretary of state shall also adopt rules regarding fax transmittal of unvoted ballots, ballot requests, voted ballots and other election materials to and from absent uniformed and overseas citizens and shall adopt rules regarding internet receipt of requests for federal postcard applications prescribed by section 16-543.
Attorney's Note
Under the Arizona Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 misdemeanor | up to 4 months | up to $750 |
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 16-452
- Ballot: means a paper ballot on which votes are recorded. See Arizona Laws 16-444
- Electronic voting system: means a system in which votes are recorded on a paper ballot by means of marking, and such votes are subsequently counted and tabulated by vote tabulating equipment at one or more counting centers. See Arizona Laws 16-444
- Instructions and procedures manual: means the manual prepared for use as a guide for the conduct of elections by an approved electronic voting system, including, but not limited to, detailed instructions for the performance of each task relating to the collection of ballots and the counting of votes in a manner that will provide maximum security, efficiency and accuracy. See Arizona Laws 16-444
- Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215
B. The rules shall be prescribed in an official instructions and procedures manual to be issued not later than December 31 of each odd-numbered year immediately preceding the general election. Before its issuance, the manual shall be approved by the governor and the attorney general. The secretary of state shall submit the manual to the governor and the attorney general not later than October 1 of the year before each general election.
C. A person who violates any rule adopted pursuant to this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
D. The secretary of state shall provide personnel who are experts in electronic voting systems and procedures and in electronic voting system security to field check and review electronic voting systems and recommend needed statutory and procedural changes.