AZ HB2545

Changes early ballot return deadline from 7:00 p.m. on election day to 7:00 p.m. on the Friday before election day, effective beginning in 2026.

Allows voters to return early ballots by mail, in-person delivery to the county recorder's office, or deposit at voting locations, with the Friday deadline applying to in-person and voting location returns.

Permits voters who experience emergencies between Friday 7:00 p.m. and Monday 5:00 p.m. before election day to request alternative voting methods as prescribed by their county board of supervisors.

Updates instructions on early ballot envelopes to reflect the new Friday return deadline and voting methods, with different instructions for elections through 2025 versus beginning in 2026.

Applies the Friday return deadline to special district mail ballot elections as well as county and state elections.