7 Essential Facts Every Pima County Voter Must Know Before the November Election

As the clock ticks down to the Nov. 5 general election, Pima County election officials are preparing to mail over 470,000 ballots to the county’s voters starting Oct. 9. This election is positioned to draw significant turnout, largely due to the presidential race at the forefront.

“This is when everybody turns out to vote,” stated Jeremy George, Deputy Elections Director for Pima County.

Residents should be aware of several important aspects ahead of casting their ballots.

1. A Two-Card Ballot
Pima County’s ballot this year is notably lengthy, including more than 30 races for elected office, from the presidential contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to the U.S. Senate race featuring Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake. Voters will also encounter 13 statewide propositions addressing pressing issues like abortion and election reform. The complex ballot consists of four pages: the first card features candidates for office, while propositions are distributed between the first and second cards.

“This is something that’s brand new in Pima County,” George noted.

Constance Hargrove, the county’s Elections Director, emphasized that it’s crucial for voters to return both card components to ensure their votes count.

“If somebody returns only one card, that’s what we have to count for that voter,” she explained.

2. Verify Your Registration
Recent audits have revealed a decline of over 100,000 registered voters in Arizona, attributable to factors like relocations and deaths, as well as inactive voters. To confirm your voting status, visit the Pima County Recorder’s Office website or the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. The registration deadline is set for midnight on Oct. 7.

3. Obtaining an Early Ballot
As of last week, over 470,000 voters were registered on the Active Early Voter List (AEVL). Those not yet on the list can secure their ballot by contacting the Pima County Recorder’s Office. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 25, with completed ballots needed by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

4. In-Person Voting on Election Day
Pima County has transitioned to a system that no longer mandates voters to cast their votes at specific precincts. With over 100 vote centers planned, residents can vote at any location. Information about wait times and polling places will be accessible via Pima.Vote. It’s advisable to review a sample ballot in advance due to the extensive choices.

Voters must present valid ID to cast their ballots. Failure to do so may result in needing to verify identity later for their vote to be counted.

5. Early Voting Locations
Early voting will commence on Oct. 9 at designated locations, including the county recorder’s offices and select community centers. More sites will open on Oct. 21.

6. Federal-Only Voters
Arizona has a unique voting requirement, mandating proof of citizenship. However, the federal law allows individuals who submitted a federal registration form without proof of citizenship to vote solely in federal elections. In Pima County, there are currently 7,600 federal-only voters, primarily younger individuals. Voters can verify their status and learn about providing citizenship proof through the Pima County Recorder’s Office.

7. Additional Information
For further election-related inquiries, Pima County residents may visit Pima.Vote for comprehensive resources.