Staff said the state elections board adopted a June rule bringing back paper numbered lists of voters in addition to electronic poll pads; Richmond County will incorporate the requirement into poll-worker training and regional meetings.

County elections staff briefed commissioners on poll-worker staffing: 73 polling places, 492 poll workers for the May 19 primary, recruitment and training details, and that the state caps poll-worker pay at $200; commissioners discussed potential special-election costs if a vacancy arises.

Witnesses told the House Administration Committee that rigorous testing of equipment, post-election audits and observers, plus well-trained poll workers, are key steps jurisdictions can take to protect election integrity as modernization proceeds.

New bill empowers poll workers to challenge ballots without introducing new profiling concerns.

Coconino County elections staff said local funding will remain the bulk of election costs, described contingency and cybersecurity planning for the year’s elections, and flagged a multi-year equipment-replacement cycle that may require major capital outlays if federal or state support is not available.

Cochise County Elections held a training session for poll workers covering opening/closing duties, equipment setup and security, handling provisional and surrendered ballots, ADA access, chain-of-custody rules and a new Arizona ID-verified early-ballot procedure under HB 2785.