A resolution designed to bring Arizona’s election reporting process in line with Florida’s — where results are typically known within hours of polls closing — failed last week in a surprise late-night vote after a key Republican senator broke with her party.
HCR 2013, sponsored by Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R‑Scottsdale), would have implemented voter roll maintenance reforms modeled after Florida law, allowing for the removal of inactive voters after multiple missed election cycles and failed contact attempts. Supporters said the measure would reduce delays in ballot tabulation, cut down on provisional ballots, and increase public trust in elections.
But the measure was defeated around 2 a.m. in the Senate Elections Committee when Senator Shawnna Bolick (R‑Phoenix) voted with Democrats to block it.
“2AM BETRAYAL,” Kolodin posted on X shortly after the vote. “@SenBolick crossed over with Dems at 2AM last night to KILL HCR2013—our Florida‑style election fix to clean AZ voter rolls.”
Capitol Insider Claims: Credit, Not Policy, at the Center
Multiple Capitol insiders claim that Bolick’s opposition to HCR 2013 may have been politically motivated. According to several staffers familiar with the internal dynamics, Bolick has introduced similar legislation and reportedly preferred to carry the policy herself rather than allow Kolodin to lead on the issue.
“She has a nearly identical bill, and she didn’t want Kolodin getting the win,” one senior legislative aide said. “This was about ownership — not opposition.”
The maneuvering has raised concerns within conservative circles, particularly as the GOP continues to call for election reforms ahead of 2026.
Same-Day Results Remain Out of Reach
Arizona remains one of the slowest states in the country to finalize election results, often taking several days or more. In contrast, Florida’s aggressive voter list maintenance and streamlined ballot processing allow for results to be reported within hours.
Kolodin and other supporters of HCR 2013 argue that bloated rolls, outdated contact records, and a growing number of provisional ballots are the primary culprits behind Arizona’s delays.
“We should be reporting results on election night like Florida does,” Kolodin said. “We can’t get there without cleaning up our rolls.”
A Second Controversial Vote
Bolick’s vote on HCR 2013 follows another high-profile decision earlier this month, when she cast a deciding vote in favor of the state budget negotiated with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support, drew criticism from conservatives who said it increased government spending while sidelining Republican priorities.
“She voted to kill election reform and backed the budget Hobbs wanted,” one GOP strategist commented. “It’s a troubling pattern.”
What’s Next?
Despite the late-night setback, HCR 2013 may not be dead for long. Kolodin confirmed that the bill is eligible for reconsideration after Senator Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) flipped his vote to keep the resolution alive.
“Huge thank you to Senator @JakeHoffmanAZ for quickly flipping his vote so the bill can be reconsidered and brought back,” Kolodin posted.
He is expected to bring the measure back for another vote in the coming days, keeping the issue of election reform front and center in the legislative session — and in his campaign for Arizona Secretary of State.