On Wednesday evening, the Arizona House announced it would be taking some time off after a couple of contentious days that brought to light the tenuous grip Speaker Rusty Bowers has on his chamber. In response, Senate President Karen Fann announced the Senate membership would return to work on Thursday temporarily.
The abrupt halt in action stunned lawmakers who had hoped to finish out the Legislative Session before Memorial Day.
The House opted to shutter after two Republicans, Reps. Michelle Udall and Joel John joined Democrats to kill a bill, SB1713, considered vital to election integrity as mail-in ballot usage grows.
SB1713 would have required voters to include either their birth date, social security number, or other government issued ID number.
Democrats claimed their voters would be disenfranchised as some of them do not know their birth date, social security number, or have a government issued ID.