By Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror
For the first time in its history, the Arizona House of Representatives is allowing a limited number of lawmakers to vote on legislation even if they’re not at the Capitol.
In order to accommodate legislators who are staying away because of the coronavirus, the House suspended a rule that requires its members to be physically present in order to vote.
Democrats said the rule would effectively allow Republicans to maintain their slim 31-29 majority, even if all of the majority party members aren’t there. House Speaker Rusty Bowers would have the ultimate authority of choosing who would be allowed to vote from home under the motion the chamber approved Tuesday.
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The rule change would allow up to six members to vote via a video call. There is no end date on the suspension of the rule, meaning the chamber will have to vote again to reinstate the rule.
