The Markup: Arizona lawmakers propose mail voting restrictions

We are tracking 1,782 bills prefiled or introduced this session across 50 states. Our analysis finds that 778 bills improve voter access or election administration, while 464 restrict it. Read on for updates in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, and Wisconsin.

---

---

Improving Voter Access or Election Administration

Georgia State Election Board adopts transparency reforms after lawsuit.

Board members agreed to stop conducting business via private email following a lawsuit by a government watchdog group. The settlement requires board members to use official email accounts only, preserve all communications, and make a $50,000 settlement payment.

Nevada lawmakers advance constitutional amendment to add universal mail-in ballots to state constitution.

Legislators approved a resolution to enshrine Nevada’s existing universal mail-in ballot system in the state constitution. Current statutory law already requires clerks to send mail ballots to all active registered voters for every election unless a voter opts out in advance. If passed by state lawmakers again during the 2027 legislative session, the resolution will appear on the 2028 general election ballot for voters’ final approval.

Restricting Voter Access or Election Administration

Arizona lawmakers propose ballot measure to restrict mail voting.

Republican state representatives have pre-filed a proposed ballot measure that would abolish the state’s permanent mail voter list (referred to as the “active early-voter list”). The measure would require voters to provide proof of citizenship to receive a mail ballot, threaten countywide polling places, and end early voting on the Friday before Election Day. If the legislature approves the measure, it would go to voters on the 2026 ballot, without Gov. Katie Hobbs having an opportunity to weigh in. 

In addition, according to data from this month’s election, mail ballot rejections in Maricopa County nearly tripled after County Recorder Justin Heap adopted a more stringent signature verification system. This increase has raised concerns among county supervisors that election administrators mistakenly disenfranchised eligible voters.

Ohio lawmakers advance bill to tighten mail ballot deadline and implement additional voter citizenship checks.

Both chambers of the legislature have approved S.B. 293, a bill that would eliminate the state’s grace period for accepting mail ballots and require additional citizenship checks. Currently, officials can accept ballot return envelopes postmarked by the day before Election Day through the fourth day after an election. Ohio is among 16 states and D.C. that accept mail ballots received after Election Day if voters sent them on time — a practice President Donald Trump seeks to end.

The monthly citizenship checks, which would rely on data from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the federal government, could trigger immediate cancellation of existing voter registrations. Voters who are removed from the state’s voter rolls are notified and given an opportunity to provide proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport. The bill now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine for a signature or veto.

On Our Radar

Anchorage, AK, to offer online voting option in April municipal election.

For the first time, Anchorage will allow voters to submit ballots electronically via a secure online portal — accessible on any internet-connected device, including phones — as a more secure alternative to email and fax. The portal will be available in time for Anchorage’s upcoming municipal election this April. The city will also continue to offer residents mail and in-person voting options, along with email and fax options.

Michigan Republicans request federal oversight of the state’s 2026 elections.

A group of Republican state legislators from Michigan sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting federal oversight of the state’s 2026 elections. The letter makes the dubious claim that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson cannot administer the election fairly because she is running for governor.

Missouri Supreme Court hears voter ID case.

The highest state court in Missouri heard a challenge to H.B. 1878. This 2022 law requires that all in-person voters present a photo ID for their ballots to be counted. Plaintiffs argue that the law violates the state constitution’s equal protection clause, since many voters have difficulty obtaining an acceptable ID.

Wisconsin Assembly advances bills to standardize early voting, expand ballot tracking, alter canvassing deadlines, and more.

The Wisconsin Assembly passed several bills last week that would standardize in-person early voting opportunities across the state, improve ballot tracking, and ensure compliance with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act and the Help America Vote Act. These bills now go to the Senate for consideration.

Federal judge raises legal concerns about SAVE database overhaul.

A federal judge signaled doubts about the legality of the Department of Homeland Security’s changes to the SAVE database. The judge has ordered expedited consideration of claims brought by voting rights groups. The database, initially intended for states to verify eligibility for benefits programs, has increasingly been used to verify voter citizenship. The Trump administration expanded the database to include additional personal information about Americans.