Overview

Precinct Election Boards are appointed by the Board of Supervisors for the county, and are the officials responsible for precinct operations on Election Day at polling locations. In common parlance, the members of the Precinct Election Boards are poll workers. Their responsibilities include marking spoiled ballots, poll closing procedures such as producing the Official Ballot Report and auditing the total votes cast, tabulating votes at voting locations (where this occurs), and transporting ballots to the receiving board.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Precinct Election Board on Election Day are:

1. Preparing, opening, and monitoring the polling place. A.R.S. § 562; *2023 EPM* at 174–175, 179.
2. Ensuring that all voted ballots are properly accounted for. A.R.S. § 16-580(C).
3. Marking and handling spoiled ballots. A.R.S. § 16-585; 2023 EPM at 132.
4. Closing polls and performing all close-out duties as assigned by the County Elections Director. A.R.S. § 16-565; *2023 EPM* at 133, 196–199.
5. (After polls close) Conducting an audit of votes cast to ensure that the number of votes cast (including regular and provisional ballots) matches the number of voters who showed up and signed in to vote. A.R.S. § 16-602(A); 2023 EPM at 197. (Note that where ballots are tabulated at the voting location, this step is completed by the Audit Board. 2023 EPM at 197, 219.
6. Producing the Official Ballot Report, which includes the number of ballots by type (regular, provisional, early, spoiled, etc.). A.R.S. § 16-602(A); 2023 EPM at 197.
7. (In some locations) Tabulating unofficial returns, which are included along with the Official Ballot Report as a printed statement of tally or summary of all votes. A.R.S. § 16-607; 2023 EPM at 197.
8. Transporting and delivering election returns, sealed containers with voted ballots, early ballots dropped at that location, provisional ballots, memory devices from voting equipment, Official Ballot Report, poll list, and signature roster or e-pollbook to the Central Counting Place. A.R.S. § 16-615; 2023 EPM at 198–199.

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Appointed: ****County Boards of Supervisors appoint Precinct Election Boards for each precinct at least 20 days before the general election. **This is done with input from the Elections Director, Recorder’s Office, and county political parties A.R.S. § 16-531(A).
• Makeup: For each election precinct, voting center, or polling location with more than 300 voters, the Precinct Election Board consists of one inspector, one marshal, two judges, and as many clerks of election as deemed necessary. A.R.S. § 16-531(A); 2023 EPM at 131.
  • The inspector, marshal, and judges are divided equally between Democratic and Republican affiliation. A.R.S. § 16-531(A). If the inspector is a member or one party, the marshal must be from the other. A.R.S. § 16-531(A). In the county at large, there must be an equal number of inspectors from both parties. A.R.S. § 16-531(A).
  • For locations with fewer than 300 voters, the County Board of Supervisors must appoint at least one inspector and two judges. A.R.S. § 16-531(B). For these precincts the Board of Supervisors must inform the two major party chairpersons at least 30 days before the election. A.R.S. § 16-531(B)
• Roles:
  • The inspector serves as the chair of the Precinct Election Board. *2023 EPM* at 133. The inspector also “exercises authority over all election-related activities at the [polling] location (under the direction of the County Elections Director).” 2023 EPM at 133. The inspector appoints substitute judges, marshals, or clerks if a poll worker fails to appear or properly perform their duties. *2023 EPM* at 133.
  • The marshal is responsible for maintaining order at the polling location, including preventing violations of election law such as targeted disruptions of voting or electioneering in or near the polling location. *2023 EPM* at 133–134.
  • Judges oversee the voting process, and complete tasks such as issuing ballots to voters, examining voting equipment, and comparing the number of cast ballots with the voter rolls. *2023 EPM* at 134.
  • Clerks of election serve as additional poll workers, with roles assigned by the inspector. 2023 EPM at 131.
• Term of Office: Precinct Election Board members serve for the election for which they are appointed. 2023 EPM at 130.
• Next Appointment: No later than Wednesday October 16, 2024.
• Qualifications: The inspector, marshal, judges, and clerks must be registered voters of the precinct where appointed. However, if there are insufficient numbers of persons to fill the appointments, registered voters of the state are eligible to be appointed to the Precinct Election Board. A.R.S. § 16-531(A).
  • Wherever possible, priority should be given to inspectors, judges, marshals, and clerks of election with prior Precinct Election Board experience. A.R.S. § 16-531(A). In the absence of a qualified person, appointments may be made from a list of names provided by the county party chairpersons. A.R.S. § 16-531(A).
  • Training: Precinct Election Board members are trained within 45 days of the election by the Election Director. A.R.S. § 16-532(A); 2023 EPM at 135. Upon completion of the training, each Precinct Election Board member will receive a certificate of qualification, which is necessary to serve on Election Day. A.R.S. § 16-532(A).