How would Proposition 309 on the Arizona ballot change voting? Here's what to know about measure

Proposition 309 is a byproduct of the heightened concern among Republicans about voting security in the wake of the 2020 election. State lawmakers are proposing more stringent voter identification requirements and have sent the issue to the ballot for voters to decide.

The measure would add new requirements for both in-person and early voting.

In-person voting

What it would require: For people who go to the polls to vote, whether at an early voting center or on Election Day, voters would have to provide an unexpired photo ID that contains their name and address. This ID could be a valid Arizona driver’s license, a nonoperating ID issued by the Motor Vehicle Division, a tribal ID issued by a tribal government, or a federal ID, such as a passport.

If the address on the photo ID does not match the voter’s address on the voting rolls, the voter must provide more documents to prove their residence. These could include a recent utility or credit card bill, a voter registration card or the publicity pamphlet sent to the voter’s home, as long as it is marked as “official election material.”

These requirements would also pertain to anyone who presents a passport or other ID that does not list the voter’s address.

What would change: A non-expired photo ID would be mandatory; currently, if a voter doesn’t have a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID, she can present two other forms of ID that establish name and address. Also, the photo ID must be current: People who would present an expired driver’s license, for example, would be rejected.

Voting by mail

What it requires:  Anyone who opts to get an early ballot, whether they return it via the mail, drop it off at an early voting center or walk it into the polls on election day, would get a new affidavit form in their ballot package. The voter would have to complete the affidavit and return it with their ballot. The affidavit would require the voter’s driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number; their date of birth; and their signature.

What would change: Currently, there is an affidavit on the back side of the return envelope for the mail-in ballot that requires a voter’s signature. Proposition 309 would not accept that affidavit signature as proper ID and instead would require the new affidavit as valid proof of ID.

Learn more::Find analysis, pro/con statements and more in the official publicity pamphlet

Who supports, opposes Proposition 309

Supporters: All Republican lawmakers, who passed the bill that sent this measure to the ballot.

Also in support: The Goldwater Institute, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona, Cochise County recorder David Stevens, the Center for Arizona Policy Action and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, which covered the $75 fee for a statement in the publicity pamphlet on behalf of 42 citizens, for a total cost of $3,150, according to campaign finance filings.

Supporters argue people must show ID for many daily activities, from buying alcohol to picking up prescriptions to boarding an airplane. They argue Proposition 309 will ensure that only valid voters cast ballots, and increase election security.

Opponents: The League of Women Voters, the Arizona County Recorders Association, the Arizona Education Association, Living United for Change, Mi Familia Vota and Democratic state lawmakers, who voted against the bill that created Proposition 309. A group calling itself Defend Voter Rights has spent $3,950 to oppose the measure, according to campaign finance filings.

Fourteen of the 15 county recorders, who handle voter registration, call the measure a solution in search of a problem. They argue it would impose new burdens on voters, delay tabulation results, jeopardize voter data privacy and would likely disenfranchise thousands of voters. 

Others contend that the separate affidavit risks disclosure of personally identifying information, and could violate ballot secrecy since elections officials must review the new affidavit before processing a voter’s ballot. They worry the information on the affidavit could lead to identity theft if someone stole the ballot while it was moving through the mail. They contend the new requirements will not make elections more secure, but will instead create roadblocks to reduce voter participation.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter @maryjpitzl.

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