STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – State Representative Alexander Kolodin, Chairman of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Election Integrity and Florida-Style Voting Systems, today announced the introduction of HCR2013, a resolution he is sponsoring to bring proven election reforms inspired by Florida’s system to Arizona. It would improve the accuracy, security, and efficiency of Arizona’s electoral process through measures such as enhanced address verification, early ballot ID numbers to replace signature verification, the elimination of late-early ballots, and a prohibition on foreign funding in elections.

Statement from Representative Kolodin:

In Florida, election results are counted with greater speed and security, leading to something that most Arizonans can only dream of – high levels of public satisfaction with the ways that elections are administered. What is their secret?

1. Enhanced address verification: To ensure that you never get a ballot for someone who doesn’t live in your home.

2. Better early ballot verification: By providing early voters with a unique Early Voter ID number, we can replace the time-consuming signature verification process, leading to quicker results and more accuracy. In addition, some young, elderly, or sick voters have difficulty signing their signature consistently. By replacing the subjective practice of signature verification with an exact identifier we can improve voter access ensure that voters are not accidentally disenfranchised.

3. Late-early cutoff: Insecure and antiquated “late-earlies” significantly delay election results and represent one of the system’s most vulnerable points. Florida dispenses with the practice in favor of alternative methods of voting for late deciders.

4. No foreign funding of elections: American elections are for Americans!

Good artists borrow, great artists steal!

The Committee will convene on Wednesday, January 15, at 2 p.m. in House Hearing Room 4 to provide a public forum to discuss these reforms and gather input.

Alexander Kolodin is an attorney and Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 3, which includes North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Rio Verde in Maricopa County. Follow him on X/Twitter at @realAlexKolodin.