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Prior to 2016, Arizonans could legally collect the early voting ballots of friends, family and community members to return them to be counted, and Democrats want to bring that practice back.
But legislation nixing the state’s prohibition on ballot collecting is almost certainly dead-on-arrival with Republicans in control of both the state House and Senate.
Rep. Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, D-Tucson, told the Arizona Mirror that even though her House Bill 2335 is unlikely to become law, she still believes that introducing it was worthwhile. A similar bill was introduced last year by then-Rep. Athena Salman but was never considered.
“It’s important not to be silent,” Stahl Hamilton said. “This is one step in pushing for a strengthened democracy.”
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If passed, the bill would get rid of ballot collection restrictions that say voted early ballots in Arizona can only be returned by the voter’s family member, a member of their household or their caregiver.