Election Officer Certification is provided by the Secretary of State in odd-numbered years pursuant to A.R.S. 16-407 (https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/00407.htm).  The training consists of instruction in the technical, legal and administrative aspects of conducting election within Arizona.  City and town election officials interested in pursuing certification must first complete Initial Training (40 hours) followed by a two-day Recertification Training.  Once Initial Training is completed, the clerk is required to attend Recertification Training in subsequent odd-numbered years to maintain certification.  Training schedules are typically available in the early summer by the Secretary’s Office with trainings conducted in the summer and fall of odd-numbered years. 

The Secretary of State is required by A.R.S. 16-452 to publish an Election Procedures Manual in order to prescribe rules to achieve and maintain the maximum degree of correctness, impartiality, uniformity and efficiency on the procedures for early voting and voting, and of producing, distributing, collecting, counting, tabulating and storing ballots.  Additionally, rules must instruct election officials about transmittal of unvoted ballots, ballot requests, voted ballots and other election materials relating to absent uniformed and overseas citizens.  The Manual must be published at least 30 days prior to the election.