Legislation to Address Election Officer Shortage Passes Senate with Strong Bipartisan Support
- Arizona Senate Republicans
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Legislation to Address Election Officer Shortage Passes Senate with
Strong Bipartisan Support
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Republicans are advancing legislation to address the election officer shortage in Arizona by adding a six-month training window in even numbered years. After passing the Senate with strong bipartisan support today, this bill is being transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.
SB 1319, sponsored by Senator Tim Dunn, is a commonsense measure that allows the certification of election officers in even-numbered years, assuring the shortage of manpower to administer elections is addressed. Statute currently allows a person to perform the duties of an election officer, a clerk of the board of supervisors, or a county recorder if the person is a holder of an election officer's certificate, issued by the Secretary of State before January 1 of each general election year. SB 1319 will shorten the certification window, requiring a person to obtain an election officer's certificate before June 1, rather than January 1, of each general election year.
"We need to ensure that our election officials are properly trained and certified," said Senator Dunn. "This bill allows certification for the first six months of an election year instead of in odd years only. When we pursue commonsense solutions, bipartisan election policy is possible, and we can improve and secure the election process for all Arizonans. I applaud my colleagues in both chambers for coming together and seeing value in this legislation. I'm optimistic this bill will make its way to the governor's desk for signature."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus