Overview
A proposal to amend A.R.S. §§ 33-1261(M)(4) and 33-1808(N)(4) to change the definition of a “political sign” to include a flag and to add language indicating that the person supported or opposed by the political sign need not be on the ballot for the upcoming election.
Key Changes
Current Law
“Political sign” is defined for purposes of association regulation but does not explicitly include flags.
Proposed Amendment (Passed Into Law)
Flag Inclusion: The definition of “political sign” is expanded to include flags.
Legislative Timeline
- May 2, 2025 – Signed by Governor
- April 29, 2025 – Senate Concur Motion for Amendment passed; Approved by Senate as Amended 29-0-1; Transmitted to Governor
- April 17, 2025 – House Third Read, Approved by House 32-25-3; Transmit to Senate
- April 1, 2025 – Floor amendment proposed by Rep. Blackmun.
- The amendments proposed remove language specifying the definition of political sign includes the support or opposition of a person regardless of whether they are on the ballot, and remove language exempting a candidate who does not advance to the general election from the definition of a political sign.
- Passed out of the Committee of the Whole with a “Do Pass Amended” recommendation.
- March 24, 2025 – Deemed “Constitutional and Proper” by House Committee on Rules; Objection to being on House Consent Calendar
- March 20, 2025 – On the March 24, 2025 agenda for the House Committee on Rules
- March 19, 2025 – Passed out of House Committee on Government with a “Do Pass” recommendation
- March 11, 2025 – House Second Read
- March 10, 2025 – House First Read; Assigned to House Committee on Government and House Committee on Rules
- February 26, 2025 – Senate Third Read; Passed 21-7-2 and transmitted to House
- February 25, 2025 – Passed out of the Committee of the Whole with a “Do Pass” recommendation
- February 17, 2025 – Deemed Proper for Consideration by Senate Committee on Rules; On Senate Consent Calendar
- February 12, 2025 – Passed out of Senate Committee on Government with a “Do Pass” recommendation
- February 6, 2025 – On February 12, 2025 agenda for Senate Committee on Government
- February 4, 2025 – Senate Second Read
- February 3, 2025 – Senate First Read; Assigned to Senate Committee on Government and Senate Committee on Rules
Impact
The law expands existing statutory protections for political expression to include flags. Associations that previously treated political flags differently from political signs must now apply the same regulations to both. This means associations cannot prohibit political flags during the periods when political signs are protected, typically 71 days before a primary election through 15 days after a general election.
The amendment proposed to clarify whether the definition extends to persons not on the ballot was removed during the House amendment process, leaving the scope limited to candidates in upcoming elections. Associations retain authority to regulate size, placement, and number of political signs and flags as provided by existing statute, but cannot ban them outright during protected periods.