SB 1655 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

juror summons; election worker option

This bill allows Arizona counties to assign qualified people who receive jury summons to serve as temporary election workers instead of jurors. Counties can determine eligibility, provide web-based training for these workers, and notify the jury commissioner after elections. It also adds a new excusal reason for people who served as election workers (e.g., inspector, clerk) within 180 days before receiving a jury summons. This directly affects individuals summoned for jury duty who are eligible for election work assignments.

Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Last action Mar 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Senate Engrossed Version (03/10/2026) · 5 edits · Mar 10, 2026

MODERATE

This bill creates a new program allowing prospective jurors to opt out of jury duty in favor of working as temporary election board workers during primary and general elections. It establishes procedures for counties to hire these workers, offers online training options, and updates jury exemption laws to recognize election service as a valid alternative to jury service.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of jury service obligations by introducing a new option for eligible citizens to fulfill their civic duty through election work instead of jury service, specifically during election periods.

SCOPE

Added a new section 16-531.01 authorizing county election officers to appoint prospective jurors as temporary election board workers after verifying their eligibility.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions allowing election training to be completed via web-based modules or electronic means at the discretion of the county officer.

Modified Section 21-332 to define serving as a temporary election board worker as a method of fulfilling a juror's service obligation.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified Section 21-202 to add a specific exemption for individuals who have recently served as election board workers within the last 180 days.

Modified Section 21-331 to allow jury commissioners to offer qualified jurors the option to serve as temporary election board workers instead of performing jury duty during specific election periods.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors