Supreme Court to weigh in on election manual makeover

• State high court weighs whether EPM must follow Administrative Procedures Act • Republicans argue EPM lacks exemption from full administrative process • State warns compliance could complicate election administration statewide

The Arizona Supreme Court is now weighing whether to require the creation of the Elections Procedures Manual to comply with the state’s statutory rulemaking scheme.

In argument today, justices delved into how, or whether, the law requiring an election rulebook every odd year collides or conflicts with the Administrative Procedures Act.

The Secretary of State maintains that the creation of the EPM is self-contained, with a process already defined in state law. In contrast, the Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Arizona and the Yavapai Coun