Governor Brewer signed HB 2826 today, which consolidates elections across Arizona. The law was deigned to save money by requiring most elections to be hedl on the same day across the state.
HB 2826 preempts all local laws, ordinances and charter provisions that are contrary to the consolidated election schedule and beginning in 2014, the bill will subject “any governmental entity” and “any other district organized under state law” to the consolidated election schedule.
“ln 1996, the Arizona Legislature established consolidated election dates to increase voter turnout and reduce election costs,” the Governor noted in her statement released today. “As H.B. 2826 was amended, the stated goal was to address candidate elections and I support this goal and agree that consolidated elections are a matter of statewide concern. However, this bill impacts other elections throughout the state and may require further examination in the next legislative session.”
The bill exempts all special taxing districts from consolidated elections, including nine districts that are currently subject to the consolidated election dates. The Governor said that the “additional changes may require further examination to fully understand the implications on elections throughout the state.