Early voting bills to hit Hobbs’ desk

Two bills are expected to hit Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk as early as this week that focus on early voting.

SB 1011 and HB 2703 are mirror bills that are working to move up Arizona’s early voting deadline to reduce voter mistrust in election results and administrative burdens on county election workers.

Thomas Galvin, Chairman of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the bills.

Chairman Galvin has supported what he calls a 95:1 plan to ensure 95% of all votes are tabulated by the end of election night.

“My colleagues, especially my new colleagues on the board, Debbie Lesko, Kate Brophy McGee, Mark Stewart, we’re all united on this, and we understand that this would really do a lot to restore faith in the system,” Chairman Galvin said.

He would like to set a new deadline for voting, the Friday before election day, to ensure verification. Chairman Galvin said it takes anywhere between 10 days and two weeks for all counties in Arizona to open all the mailed-in ballots and approve the legitimacy of signatures.

“One, it moves up the deadline for dropping off those late/early ballots, but also in consideration of that, it would allow for more polling places and would also allow weekend voting on Saturday and Monday before election day,” Chairman Galvin said.

He said the new legislation will make the process easier and improve access to voting since there will be more facilities used as polling places and more time with the weekends open to cast your vote.