Proposition 309 - Arizonans for Voter ID Act

Summary

A "yes" vote shall have the effect of requiring the affidavit accompanying an early ballot and return envelope to be capable of being concealed when returned; requiring a voter to write their birth date, a state-issued identification number or the last four digits of the voter's social security number, and signature on an early ballot affidavit; requiring certain photo identification issued by the State of Arizona, or a tribal government or the United States government, to receive a ballot at an in-person voting location; removing the ability to receive a ballot at an in-person voting location without photo identification when showing two other identifying documents; and requiring the Arizona Department of Transportation to provide, without charge, a nonoperating identification license to individuals who request one for the purpose of voting.

A "no" vote shall have the effect of retaining existing law on early ballot affidavits and voter identification.

Arguments

""Approving this amendment will allow the Legislature free rein to appropriate or divert funds created by initiative or referendum, with unfettered ability to use the funds for whatever purpose they wish, ignoring the voters' will. A YES vote for this amendment will allow the Legislature TO SIMPLY DISREGARD THE WILL OF VOTERS by establishing an additional way for the Legislature to supersede a voter-protected act. THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ARIZONA URGES YOU TO VOTE NO."" - Pinny Sheoran, President of the League of Women Voters of Arizona, sponsored by League of Women Voters of Arizona, in support of Proposition 309 (Learn more)

""Arizona voters want and deserve an election system that is secure, fair, efficient, accurate, and of the highest integrity. Prop 309 helps us accomplish that goal by requiring every voter to prove eligibility and that they are who they claim to be, by showing ID. This policy will reduce opportunities for fraud, ensure more accurate results, and protect vulnerable voters from ballot trafficking rings while not sacrificing convenience and accessibility. This is a win-win for voters and for the integrity of our elections!"" - Rep. Ben Toma, Majority Leader of the Arizona State House, in support of Proposition 309 (Learn more)

"The League of Women Voters of Arizona strongly opposes this initiative, which will impose unnecessary burdens on qualified voters and add confusion to the mail ballot process. The League believes registration and voting options should be accessible to all and that all election systems should be easy to administer and have appropriate security measures to prevent fraud. Using mail ballots in Arizona is a well-established, secure, and popular voting method. If this initiative passes, mail ballot voters will have to complete an additional affidavit providing an ID number and date of birth. Election officials must verify this information before counting the vote. This process opens the possibility of linking ballots to individuals and how they vote, violating their privacy. These extra ID requirements for mail ballots increase opportunities for identity theft and chances for ballots to be discarded for inadvertent errors and additional costs and burden on election administration." - Pinny Sheoran, President of the League of Women Voters of Arizona, sponsored by League of Women Voters of Arizona, in opposition to Proposition 309 (Learn more)

"By one estimate, if this measure is approved by the voters, 396,000 voters may have their ballots thrown out. We are all for integrity and security in voting. We need the public to have confidence in the voting system. The danger of Prop 309 is it goes the other way – it creates so many traps and gimmicks that voting becomes a minefield. Make it simple. Keep it secured. VOTE NO ON PROP 309." - Tom Ryan, Chair of Defend Arizona Rights, in opposition to Proposition 309 (Learn more)

Measure Details