reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-551 - Early election board; violation; classification

16-551.
Early election board;  violation;  classification
A. The board of supervisors or the governing body of the political subdivision shall appoint one or more early election boards to serve at places to be designated by the board of supervisors or the governing body to canvass and tally early election ballots. Members of early election boards shall be selected in accordance with the provisions for selecting members of regular election boards as provided in section 16-531.
B. If an electronic voting system is in use for early voting,  the early election board shall consist of at least one inspector and two judges who shall perform the processing requirements in accordance with the rules issued by the secretary of state. The inspector and judges shall be appointed in the same manner by party as provided in section 16-531.
C. All early ballots received by the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections before 7:00 p.m. on election day and the original affidavit of the voter shall be delivered to the early election boards for processing as provided in the rules of the secretary of state. The office of the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall remain open until 7:00 p.m. on election day for the purpose of receiving early ballots. Partial or complete tallies of the early election board shall not be released or divulged before all precincts have reported or one hour after the closing of the polls on election day,  whichever occurs first. Any person who unlawfully releases information regarding vote tallies or who possesses a tally sheet or summary without authorization from the recorder or officer in charge of elections is guilty of a class 6 felony.
D. If practicable,  the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall count the number of early ballots that are returned at voting locations on election day and shall post on its website those totals with the last unofficial results that are released on election night pursuant to section 16-622. Beginning with the day following the election,  the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall enter into the county's ballot tracking system,  if established,  early ballots that were returned at the voting location on election day.
E. The necessary printed blanks for poll lists,  tally lists,  lists of voters,  ballots,  oaths and returns,  together with envelopes in which to enclose the returns,  shall be furnished by the board of supervisors or the governing body of the political subdivision to the early election board for each election precinct at the expense of the county or the political subdivision.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-558 - Special districts; mail ballot election option; conduct

16-558.
Special districts;  mail ballot election option;  conduct
A. Notwithstanding section 16-225,  a special district as described in title 48 may conduct a mail ballot election if the governing board of the special district obtains approval from the board of supervisors of the county in which the special district or greater part of the special district is located before publishing the call of election as provided in section 16-227.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this article,  special district mail ballot elections shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of article 8 of this chapter.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-558.01 - Mailing of ballots

16-558.01.
Mailing of ballots
Not more than twenty-seven days before the election and not fewer than fifteen days before the election,  the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections for the special district shall send by nonforwardable mail all official ballots with printed instructions and a return envelope bearing a printed ballot affidavit as described in section 16-547 to each qualified elector entitled to vote in the election. The envelope in which the ballot is mailed shall be clearly marked with the statement required by the postmaster to receive an address correction and notification. The district governing board shall determine whether the voter or the district governing board will pay for the postage for the return of electors' marked ballots. An elector who votes in a special district mail ballot election shall return the elector's marked ballot to the recorder or other officer in charge of the election or to a designated depository site as provided in section 16-411 no later than 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-558.02 - Replacement ballots

16-558.02.
Replacement ballots
A. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall determine a central location in the district and shall provide for a ballot replacement center that is as near to that location as is practicable for electors to obtain a replacement ballot. The location shall be open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. of the day of the election. An elector may obtain a replacement ballot until 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election on presenting a signed,  sworn statement that the ballot was lost,  spoiled,  destroyed or not received.
B. The recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall keep a record of each replacement ballot provided pursuant to this section.
C. If an elector to whom a replacement ballot is issued votes more than once,  only the first ballot received shall be counted.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-562 - Preparation and arrangement of polling place with voting booths and ballot boxes

16-562.
Preparation and arrangement of polling place with voting booths and ballot boxes
A. The arrangement of the polling place shall be such that neither the ballot boxes nor the voting booths are hidden from the view of persons immediately outside the voting area.
B. No person other than the election officers,  voters,  party representatives and challengers shall be permitted within six feet of the ballot boxes or voting booths except by authority of the election officers for the purpose of keeping order and enforcing the law.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-563 - Posting sample ballots, instruction cards and notice to voters before opening polls

16-563.
Posting sample ballots,  instruction cards and notice to voters before opening polls
Before opening the polls the inspector of elections shall direct the following postings:
1. One of the sample ballots provided for in section 16-510,  one of the cards of instructions provided for in section 16-513 and one of the " right to vote a provisional ballot"  notices provided for in section 16-513.01 in plain view in the room where the ballots are cast. At least one other sample ballot,  card of instruction and " right to vote a provisional ballot"  notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in and around the polling place.
2. Three seventy-five foot limit notices approximately seventy-five feet in different directions from the main outside entrance being used by voters to enter the building in which the election is being held.
3. In each voting booth,  a notice to voters provided in section 16-514 at general elections only.
4. Any notices necessary for complying with early ballot on-site tabulation procedures as prescribed in sections 16-579.01 and 16-579.02.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-565 - Hours polls opened and closed; proclamation of opening and closing polls

16-565.
Hours polls opened and closed;  proclamation of opening and closing polls
A. For any election called pursuant to the laws of this state,  the polls shall be opened in every precinct at 6:00 a.m. on the day of election and shall be closed at 7:00 p.m.
B. Before the election board receives any ballots,  it shall proclaim aloud at the place of election that the polls are open and voting may thereupon commence and continue during the time the polls remain open.
C. The election marshal shall proclaim the opening of the polls at 6:00 a.m. and shall proclaim the closing of the polls at one hour,  at thirty minutes,  at fifteen minutes and at one minute before closing and again at the moment of closing. The inspector and two judges shall determine when the hour for closing the polls has arrived.
D. Any qualified voter who at the moment of closing is in the line of waiting voters shall be allowed to vote.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-566 - Opening and closing of polling place; unused ballots

16-566.
Opening and closing of polling place;  unused ballots
A. At least thirty minutes before the opening of the polls the precinct election officers shall arrive at the polling place and set up the voting booths so that they will be in clear view of the election officers. They shall open and check the ballots,  supplies,  records and forms and post the sample ballots and instructions to voters.
B. As soon as the polls have been closed and the last qualified voter has voted,  the voting or marking devices shall be sealed against further voting. All unused ballots shall be placed in a container and sealed for return to the board of supervisors or other officer in charge of elections.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-570 - Conduct of election; duties of officers; placing machines

16-570.
Conduct of election;  duties of officers;  placing machines
A. One election official shall attend the voting machine,  and the other officers shall attend the pollbooks and perform the duties of election officials as provided by law.
B. The voting machine shall be so placed and protected that it is accessible to only one voter at a time and is in full view of all election officers and observers at the polling place. Any port,  plug,  door or other method of physical or electronic access to the voting machine or to any electronic pollbook shall be secured in a manner to prevent any unauthorized access to the voting machine or electronic pollbook. The county or other officer in charge of elections shall document and verify security procedures regarding access before a voting machine or electronic pollbook is placed into service for an election.
C. During elections the door or other compartment of the machine shall not be unlocked or opened or the counters exposed except for good and sufficient reasons,  a statement of which shall be made and signed by the election officers and attached to the returns.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-571 - Poll lists to be kept by election clerk; posting

16-571.
Poll lists to be kept by election clerk;  posting
A. In precincts in which electronic poll book systems are not used,  at least one election board clerk shall keep a list in duplicate of persons voting,  and the name of each person who votes shall be entered thereon and numbered in the order of voting.
B. In precincts in which electronic poll book systems are not used,  the poll list as prescribed in section 16-516 shall be written on one side only,  and triplicate copies may be provided. Immediately upon the completion of each page of the poll list and if copies are available,  one copy shall,  upon request,  be given to a representative designated by each major political party. In an election with nonpartisan candidates or ballot issues,  the officer in charge of the jurisdiction that is conducting the election may designate who is to receive copies of the poll lists. For the purposes of this subsection,  " major political party"  means the two parties receiving the highest number of votes for governor or presidential electors at the last election.
C. In precincts in which electronic poll book systems are used,  at least one list of persons voting shall be available by printed or electronic media. The list shall be in substantially the same format as prescribed in section 16-516 and on request shall be given to a representative designated by each major political party. The information contained in the list also may be provided electronically to a representative designated by each major political party by way of a secure electronic file transmittal format as prescribed by the secretary of state.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-572 - Delivery and custody of ballots at polling place

16-572.
Delivery and custody of ballots at polling place
A. On opening the polls,  the inspector shall produce the sealed package of official ballots and publicly open it and deliver one book or block of ballots therein contained to the judges. The other blocks or books of ballots,  if any,  shall be retained by the inspector until called for by the judges and required for voting.
B. One of the judges of election shall keep the ballots within the polling place in plain view of the public and deliver them only to qualified voters.
C. A person shall not take or remove a ballot from the polling place before the polls are closed.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-573 - Substitution of ballots when official ballots not available

16-573.
Substitution of ballots when official ballots not available
If the official ballots at an election precinct at which a voting machine is to be used are not delivered at the time required,  or if after the delivery they are lost,  destroyed or stolen,  the election judges shall immediately notify the clerk or other authority under whose direction the ballots are printed who shall cause other ballots to be prepared,  printed or written as nearly in the form of the official ballots as practicable. The judges shall cause the substituted ballots to be used in the same manner as the official ballots.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-574 - Repair or substitution of machines; use of paper ballots

16-574.
Repair or substitution of machines;  use of paper ballots
A. If a voting machine being used at an election becomes out of order during the election,  it shall be repaired if possible or another machine substituted as promptly as possible. Such repairs to the voting machines shall be made only under the scrutiny of two elections board workers who shall be members of different political parties.
B. If repair or substitution of a machine cannot be made,  paper ballots printed or written and of any suitable form may be used for taking votes,  and for that purpose the sample ballots may be employed.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-579.01 - Early ballots; on-site tabulation

16-579.01.
Early ballots;  on-site tabulation
A. Every county recorder or other officer in charge of elections may provide for a qualified elector who appears at that elector's designated polling location or at a voting center on election day with the elector's voted early ballot to have the elector's voted early ballot tabulated as prescribed in section 16-579.02.
B. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall do all of the following if the on-site tabulation of early ballots is allowed:
1. Designate an area within a precinct or voting center for processing electors with their voted early ballots that is physically separate from the area for voters who are voting pursuant to section 16-579.
2. Provide adequate poll workers,  election officials and equipment necessary to conduct voting pursuant to this section and section 16-579.02.
3. Categorize and tally separately in the official canvass and other reports electors whose voted early ballots are tabulated at the precinct or voting center. The tally shall be reported by precinct in the official canvass and other voting reports.
4. Reconcile for that polling place or voting center the number of electors who appear on the signature roster or e-pollbook with the number of completed early ballot affidavits and the voted early ballots tabulated on-site.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-580 - Manner of voting; assistance for certain electors

16-580.
Manner of voting;  assistance for certain electors
A. Except as prescribed by subsection E of this section,  only one person per voting booth shall be permitted at any one time to sign for the receipt of a ballot and to wait for an opportunity to vote.
B. On receiving a ballot the voter shall promptly and without leaving the voting area retire alone,  except as provided in subsection E of this section,  to one of the voting booths that is not occupied,  prepare the ballot in secret and vote in the manner and substantial form as required by the instruction to voters.
C. The voter shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box,  or if the voter so requests,  hand the ballot to the election board official and permit the election board official to deposit the ballot in the ballot box.
D. After the ballot is deposited,  the voter shall then proceed outside the voting area and shall not again enter the voting area unless the voter is an authorized election official or an official observer or is assisting another voter.
E. Any registered voter,  at the voter's option,  may be accompanied by a minor who is permitted in the voting booth pursuant to section 16-515,  subsection E,  be accompanied and assisted by a person of the voter's own choice or be assisted by two election officials,  one from each major political party,  during any process relating to voting or during the actual process of voting on a paper ballot,  machine or electronic voting system. A person who is a candidate for an office in that election other than the office of precinct committeeman is not eligible to assist any voter.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-581 - Elderly persons; persons with disabilities; inaccessible polling places; definitions

16-581.
Elderly persons;  persons with disabilities;  inaccessible polling places;  definitions
A. If the board of supervisors determines that a polling place is inaccessible to elderly persons or persons with disabilities,  it shall provide for alternative voting according to procedures established by the chief election officer of the state pursuant to the voting accessibility for the elderly and handicapped act (P.L. 98-435;  98 Stat. 1678,  1984;  42 United States Code section 1973).
B. For the purposes of this section:
1. " Elderly"  means sixty-five years of age or older.
2. " Persons with disabilities"  means a person who has a temporary or permanent physical disability that substantially restricts or limits the person's access to polling places.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-583 - Voter not on precinct register; inactive voter list; procedure

16-583.
Voter not on precinct register;  inactive voter list;  procedure
A. On or before election day,  the county recorder shall provide to each precinct the names of electors on the inactive voter list. If a person whose name is not on the precinct register appears at a polling place,  an election official shall determine whether the person is on the inactive voter list. If the person is on the inactive voter list,  the registrant,  on affirmation by the registrant before an election official at the polling place that the registrant continues to reside at the address indicated on the inactive voter list,  shall be permitted to vote at that polling place. The elector's name shall be entered on a separate signature roster page at the end of the signature roster,  and voters' names shall be numbered consecutively. If the registrant indicates that the registrant lives at a new residence,  the election official shall direct the registrant to the polling place for the new address.
B. Following the election,  the county recorder shall remove from inactive status all electors who voted pursuant to subsection A,  shall place the electors' names back on the general register and shall return the electors' status to active.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-585 - Spoiled ballots; disposition

16-585.
Spoiled ballots;  disposition
If a voter spoils a ballot and obtains another,  the inspector and one of the judges shall write on the back of the ballot the words " spoiled"  and return it to the board or persons from whom the ballots were originally received.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-590 - Appointment of challengers and party representatives

16-590.
Appointment of challengers and party representatives
A. The county chairman of each party may,  for each precinct,  by written appointment addressed to the election board,  designate a party agent or representative and alternates for a polling place in the precinct who may act as challengers for the party which appointed him.
B. At each voting place,  one challenger for each political party may be present and act,  but no challenger may enter a voting booth except to mark his ballot.
C. Not more than the number of party representatives for each party which were mutually agreed upon by each political party represented on the ballot shall be in the polling place at one time. If such agreement cannot be reached,  the number of representatives shall be limited to one in the polling place at one time for each political party.
D. A challenger or party representative shall be a resident of this state and registered to vote in this state.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-592 - Proceedings on challenge; disposition of ballot

16-592.
Proceedings on challenge;  disposition of ballot
A. Upon challenge being made,  if the person challenged appears to be registered,  the person shall take and subscribe to the oath prescribed in the " affidavit of registration"  and,  if the person so elects,  may be at once sworn to answer fully and truly all questions material to the challenge as are put to the person by the inspector. Any returned United States mail addressed to the person challenged or the spouse of the person challenged,  or both,  and to the address appearing on the precinct register or affidavit shall be considered as sufficient grounds to proceed under this section.
B. If after the examination on the challenge,  a majority of the election board is satisfied that the challenge is not valid,  the person challenged shall be permitted to vote.
C. If the person challenged refuses to be sworn or affirmed,  or refuses to answer questions material to the challenge or if a majority of the election board finds that the challenge is valid,  the person challenged shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot pursuant to section 16-584.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-593 - Rules determining residence of voter upon challenge; reading of rules upon request

16-593.
Rules determining residence of voter upon challenge;  reading of rules upon request
A. The election board,  in determining the place of residence of a person,  shall be governed by the following rules,  so far as applicable:
1. The residence of a person is that place in which his habitation is fixed and to which he has the intention of returning when absent.
2. A person does not gain or lose his residence by reason of his presence at or absence from a place while employed in the service of the United States or of this state,  or while engaged in navigation,  or while a student at an institution of learning or while kept in an almshouse,  asylum or prison.
3. A person does not lose his residence by leaving his home to go to another county,  state or foreign country for merely temporary purposes,  with the intention of returning.
4. A person does not gain a residence in any county into which he comes for merely temporary purposes,  without the intention of making that county his home.
5. If a person removes to another state with the intention of making it his residence,  he loses his residence in this state.
6. If a person removes to another state with the intention of remaining there for an indefinite time,  and of making the place his present residence,  he loses his residence in this state,  even though he has an intention of returning at some future period.
7. The place where a person's family permanently resides is his residence,  unless he is separated from his family,  but if it is a place of temporary establishment for his family,  or for transient purposes,  it is otherwise.
8. If a person has a family residing in one place and he does business in another,  the former is his place of residence,  but a person having a family who has taken up his abode with the intention of remaining and whose family does not so reside with him shall be regarded as a resident where his abode has been taken.
9. A United States citizen who has never resided in the United States is eligible to vote in this state by using a federal write-in early ballot as prescribed in sections 16-103 and 16-543.02 if both of the following apply:
(a) A parent is a United States citizen.
(b) The parent is registered to vote in this state.
10. The mere intention of acquiring a new residence without the act of removal avails nothing and neither does the act of removal without the intention.
B. The term of residence shall be computed by including the day on which the person's residence commenced and by excluding the day of election.
C. Before administering an oath to a person touching his residence,  the inspector,  if requested by any person,  shall read to the person challenged the rules set forth in subsection A of this section.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-594 - List of challenges, grounds and rulings

16-594.
List of challenges,  grounds and rulings
The board shall require one of the clerks to keep a list of the names of all persons challenged,  the grounds of the challenge and the determination of the board upon the challenge. Copies of the list shall be kept in the office of the county recorder or other officer in charge of early ballot processing as a public record. Affidavits of challenged voters,  decisions of election officials and challenge lists shall be a part of the official returns and shall be delivered to the board of supervisors.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-603 - Inspection of ballots by party representative

16-603.
Inspection of ballots by party representative
A mutually agreed on number of representatives and alternates of each political party represented on the ballot by a party designation and column,  appointed in the manner provided by section 16-590,  may remain inside the voting area from the time the polls are closed,  and,  without unduly hindering or delaying the count,  one representative from each party at a time may inspect the ballots,  but the ballots shall at all times remain under the personal charge and keeping of the election officers and shall not be permitted to pass from their hands.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-604 - Election integrity fund; purpose; exemption

16-604.
Election integrity fund;  purpose;  exemption
(L21,  Ch. 405,  sec. 6)
A. The election integrity fund is established consisting of legislative appropriations. The state treasurer shall administer the fund.
B. Monies in the fund may be used only to pay county recorders for election security,  cybersecurity measures and improvements and reimbursements for postelection hand tabulations,  including for additional staffing.
C. County recorders shall apply for monies from the fund and,  on review and approval by the state treasurer,  the state treasurer shall make payments from the fund.
D. Monies in the fund are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-607 - Statements of tally

16-607.
Statements of tally
A. In each election precinct where voting machines are used,  statements of tally shall be printed to conform with the type of voting machine used. The designating number and letter on the counter for each candidate shall be printed next to the candidate's name on the statements of tally and shall provide for the entry of the number of votes for each candidate and the " yes"  and " no"  over each question.
B. The delivery of statements to stations designated by the board of supervisors shall be accomplished as is provided for ballots in section 16-608.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-608 - Delivery of ballots; electronic voting system

16-608.
Delivery of ballots;  electronic voting system
A. After the close of the polls and after compliance with section 16-602 the members of the election board shall prepare a report in duplicate of the number of voters who have voted,  as indicated on the poll list,  and place this report in the ballot box or metal container,  in which the voted ballots have been placed,  which thereupon shall be sealed with a numbered seal and delivered promptly by two members of the election board of different political parties to the central counting place or other receiving station designated by the board of supervisors or officer in charge of elections,  which shall not be more than fifty miles from the polling place from which the ballots are delivered. The person in charge of receiving ballots shall give a numbered receipt acknowledging receipt of such ballots to the person in charge who delivers such ballots.
B. The chairman of the county committee of each political party represented on the ballot may designate a member of his party to accompany the ballots from each polling place to the central counting place. Such party representative shall serve without compensation.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-609 - Questioned legality of ballots; procedure

16-609.
Questioned legality of ballots;  procedure
A. Only ballots that are provided in accordance with the provisions of law shall be counted.
B. When a question arises as to the legality of a ballot,  or a part of a ballot,  the action taken on the decision of the election board as to its legality,  signed by the majority voting for the action,  with a concise statement of the facts giving rise to the question,  shall be endorsed on the ballot and signed by a majority of the board.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-610 - Uncertainty of voter's choice as cause for rejection

16-610.
Uncertainty of voter's choice as cause for rejection
If on any ballot the names of more persons are designated for the same office than are to be chosen,  or if for any reason it is impossible to positively determine the voter's choice,  all the names designated for that office shall be rejected.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-611 - Certain defects invalidating vote for particular office

16-611.
Certain defects invalidating vote for particular office
If the voter marks more names than there are persons to be elected to an office,  or if from the ballot it is impossible to determine the voter's choice for an office,  his ballot shall not be counted for that office.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-612 - Determination of write-in choice of voter

16-612.
Determination of write-in choice of voter
A. When the printed name of a candidate is followed by the name of another person written on the ballot by the voter in the space provided for that purpose,  and a mark as defined in section 16-400 appears in the space after either the printed or the written names,  but not both,  the printed name shall be rejected and the written one counted,  and the action of the board shall be noted on the back of the ballot and signed by a majority of the election board.
B. If the name of a person appears as having been voted for two or more times for the same office,  the ballot shall be counted as one vote.
C. If an elector writes on his ballot the name of any person who is a candidate for any office on some other ballot than that on which his name is so written,  such elector shall thereby invalidate his vote for that particular office,  but the vote on the remainder of the ballot shall be counted.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-615 - Delivery of returns

16-615.
Delivery of returns
A. Before it adjourns,  the election board shall enclose and seal in a strong envelope provided for that purpose one of the poll lists,  signed as required.
B. The envelope containing the poll list shall constitute the official returns of the election and,  together with the envelope containing the voted ballots,  shall be delivered to one of the members of the election board,  previously determined by lot,  unless otherwise agreed on,  and such member shall by himself,  or by an agent agreed on by the board and sworn by a member thereof,  in the presence of the board to faithfully perform the duties of election messenger,  without delay,  and by the most expeditious means and route,  deliver the packages and envelopes,  without opening them,  to the officer in charge of the election at his office,  or to the nearest postmaster or sworn express agent,  who shall endorse on the packages and envelopes the name of the person delivering them,  and the hour and date of the delivery,  and forward the packages and envelopes by the first mail or express to the officer in charge of the election at the county seat.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-616 - Preparation and disposition of unofficial returns

16-616.
Preparation and disposition of unofficial returns
One of the poll lists and one of the tally lists used at the election shall be withheld by the election board from the sealed packages of ballots and other election supplies and shall be separately sealed in an envelope and returned to the officer in charge of the election in the same manner as the official returns. The officer shall,  for a period of six months,  keep such envelope open to the inspection of electors.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-617 - Transmittal of signature roster and precinct registers after election

16-617.
Transmittal of signature roster and precinct registers after election
The election board,  at the close of the election,  shall return the signature roster and copies of the precinct registers along with the other election supplies to the board of supervisors or officer in charge of elections.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-622 - Official canvass; unofficial results

16-622.
Official canvass;  unofficial results
A. At any time following the close of the polls,  except as provided in section 16-551,  subsection C,  unofficial returns may be released during the counting of the ballots by vote tabulating equipment,  and upon completion of the count the unofficial results shall be open to the public. The result printed by the vote tabulating equipment,  to which have been added write-in and early votes,  shall,  when certified by the board of supervisors or other officer in charge,  constitute the official canvass of each precinct or election district.
B. In any election for a federal office,  a statewide office or a member of the legislature or in any election for a statewide ballot measure,  all unofficial returns that are released during the counting of the ballots and all unofficial results that are open to the public shall when released to the public be transmitted by telephone,  by telefacsimile or by other electronic means to the secretary of state.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-623 - Copy of abstract of vote of certain counties filed with secretary of state

16-623.
Copy of abstract of vote of certain counties filed with secretary of state
In those counties lying within a legislative district or a congressional district made up of areas in more than one county,  the board of supervisors of each such county shall file a copy,  or reasonable facsimile,  of the abstract of vote with the secretary of state within forty-eight hours after the closing of the polls.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-624 - Disposition of official returns and ballots

16-624.
Disposition of official returns and ballots
A. After the canvass has been completed,  the officer in charge of elections shall deposit the package or envelope containing the ballots in a secure facility managed by the county treasurer,  who shall keep it unopened and unaltered for twenty-four months for elections for a federal office or for six months for all other elections,  at which time he shall destroy it without opening or examining the contents.
B. Irregular ballots shall be preserved for six months after the election and the packages containing them may be opened and the contents examined only upon an order of court. At the expiration of such time,  the ballots may be disposed of in the discretion of the officer or board having charge of them.
C. The officer in charge of elections shall produce the other packages or envelopes before the board of supervisors when it is in session for the purpose of canvassing the returns.
D. If a recount is ordered or a contest begun within six months,  the county treasurer may be ordered by the court to deliver to it the packages or envelopes containing the ballots,  and thereupon they shall be in the custody and control of the court.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-625 - Electronic data and digital images; ballots; security

16-625.
Electronic data and digital images;  ballots;  security
The officer in charge of elections shall ensure that electronic data from and electronic or digital images of ballots are protected from physical and electronic access,  including unauthorized copying or transfer,  and that all security measures are at least as protective as those prescribed for paper ballots.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-642 - Canvass of election; postponements

16-642.
Canvass of election;  postponements
A. The governing body holding an election shall meet and canvass the election not less than six days nor more than twenty days following the election.
B. The governing body of a special district as defined in title 48 shall present to the board of supervisors a certified copy of the official canvass of the election at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board of supervisors. For purposes of contesting a special district election as described in section 16-673,  the canvass is not complete until the presentation to the board of supervisors is made.
C. If,  at the time of the meeting of the governing body,  the returns from any polling place in the election district where the polls were opened and an election held are found to be missing,  the canvass shall be postponed from day to day until all the returns are received or until six postponements have been had.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-643 - Method of canvass

16-643.
Method of canvass
The canvass of the election returns shall be made in public by opening the returns,  other than the ballots,  and determining the vote of the county,  by polling places,  for each person voted for and the vote for and against each proposed constitutional amendment and initiated or referred measure appearing upon the ballot at such election.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-644 - Effect of want of form in precinct returns

16-644.
Effect of want of form in precinct returns
No list,  tally,  certificates or endorsement returned from any precinct shall be set aside or rejected for want of form,  or for not being strictly in accordance with the explicit provisions of this title,  if they can be clearly understood,  nor shall any declaration of result,  commission or certificate be withheld or denied by reason of any defect or informality in making the returns of the election in any precinct,  if the facts which the returns should disclose can be definitely ascertained.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-646 - Statement, contents and mailing of official canvass

16-646.
Statement,  contents and mailing of official canvass
A. When the result of the canvass is determined,  a statement,  known and designated as the official canvass,  shall be entered on the official record of the election district that shall show:
1. The number of ballots cast in each precinct and in the county.
2. The number of ballots rejected in each precinct and in the county.
3. The titles of the offices voted for and the names of the persons,  together with the party designation,  if any,  of each person voted for to fill the offices.
4. The number of votes by precincts and county received by each candidate.
5. For each candidate race in each political subdivision prescribed by section 16-204.01,  the number of ballots cast and the number of active registered voters in each political subdivision and portion of a political subdivision for which a candidate may be elected.
6. The numbers and a brief title of each proposed constitutional amendment and each initiated or referred measure voted on.
7. The number of votes by precincts and county for and against such proposed amendment or measure.
B. The certified permanent copy of the official canvass for all offices and ballot measures,  except offices and ballot measures in a city or town election and nonpartisan election returns,  shall be mailed immediately to the secretary of state who shall maintain and preserve it as a permanent public record.
C. The board of supervisors shall deliver a copy of the official canvass for all offices and ballot measures in the primary and general elections to the secretary of state in a uniform electronic computer media format that shall be agreed on between the secretary of state and all county election officials. The uniform format shall be designed to facilitate the computer analysis of election results for offices and ballot measures that are statewide or are common to more than one county.
D. The certified permanent copy of the official canvass for all offices and ballot measures in a city or town election shall be filed with the appropriate city or town clerk,  or in a special district election with the clerk of the board of supervisors,  who shall maintain and preserve it as a permanent public record.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-647 - Declaration of election to office; delivery of certificate of election

16-647.
Declaration of election to office;  delivery of certificate of election
The board of supervisors shall declare elected the person receiving the highest number of votes cast for each office to be filled by the electors of the county or a subdivision thereof,  and the clerk of the board shall,  unless enjoined from so doing by an order of the court,  deliver to each such person,  upon compliance with the provisions imposed by law upon candidates for office as conditions precedent to the issuance of such certificates,  a certificate of election,  signed by the clerk and authenticated with the seal of office of the board of supervisors.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-648 - Canvass for state offices, amendments and measures; postponement

16-648.
Canvass for state offices,  amendments and measures;  postponement
A. On the fourth Monday following a general election,  the secretary of state,  in the presence of the governor and the attorney general,  shall canvass all offices for which the nominees filed nominating petitions and papers with the secretary of state pursuant to section 16-311,  subsection E.
B. The secretary of state,  in the presence of the governor and the chief justice of the supreme court,  shall canvass all proposed constitutional amendments and initiated or referred measures,  as shown by the certified copies of official canvass received from the several counties,  and forthwith certify the result to the governor.
C. If the official canvass of any county has not been received on the fourth Monday following the general election,  the canvass shall be postponed from day to day,  not to exceed thirty days from the date of the election,  until canvasses from all counties are received.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-649 - Determination of tie vote; notice to candidates; exception

16-649.
Determination of tie vote;  notice to candidates;  exception
A. If two or more candidates receive an equal number of votes for the same office,  and a higher number than any other candidate,  whether upon the canvass by the secretary of state or the county board of supervisors,  or upon recount by a court,  the officer or board whose duty it is to declare the result shall determine by lot and in the presence of the candidates which candidate shall be declared elected.
B. Ten days' previous notice shall be given to candidates for state offices,  and five days' previous notice shall be given to candidates for other offices,  of the time and place of determining the election by lot,  by the officer or board whose duty it is to declare the result of the election.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to candidates for the executive offices of the state as defined by the constitution.
D. A ballot issue that ends in a tie vote is deemed to have failed.
E. The official subject to a recall shall be certified the winner if the recall election ends in a tie vote.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-650 - Declaration of election to office; delivery of certificate of election

16-650.
Declaration of election to office;  delivery of certificate of election
The secretary of state shall declare elected the person receiving the highest number of votes cast for each office for which the nominees filed nominating petitions and papers with the secretary of state pursuant to section 16-311,  subsection B and shall,  unless enjoined from so doing by an order of court,  deliver to each such person,  upon compliance with the provisions imposed by law upon candidates for office as conditions precedent to the issuance of the certificates,  a certificate of election,  signed by the secretary of state and authenticated with the great seal of the state.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-651 - Proclamation by governor on amendments and initiated and referred measures

16-651.
Proclamation by governor on amendments and initiated and referred measures
Upon completion of the canvass by the secretary of state,  the governor shall forthwith issue a proclamation,  proclaiming the whole number of votes cast for and against each proposed constitutional amendment,  and for and against each initiated or referred measure,  and declaring the amendments or measures which are approved by a majority of those voting thereon to be law.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Elections and Electors › § 16-661 - Automatic recount; requirements

16-661.
Automatic recount;  requirements
A. A recount of the vote is required when the canvass of returns in a primary or general election shows that the margin between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for a particular office,  or between the number of votes cast for and against initiated or referred measures or proposals to amend the Constitution of Arizona,  is less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the number of votes cast for both such candidates or on such measures or proposals.
B. Subsection A of this section does not apply to elections for precinct committeemen,  school district governing boards,  community college district governing boards,  fire district boards or fire district chiefs or secretary-treasurers or boards of other special districts.