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Early voting is underway in Arizona

Posted 7/8/20

July 8 marks the start of Early Voting for the August Primary Election.

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Early voting is underway in Arizona

Posted

July 8 marks the start of Early Voting for the August Primary Election.

More than 1.3 million ballots are on their way to voters, and in-person Vote Centers are now open, according to the Maricopa County Elections Department.

With increased access, Maricopa County voters can choose to vote by mail or vote in-person for the primary.

Voters who requested a ballot by mail or are on the Permanent Early Voting List should expect to see a yellow envelope in their mailbox within the next few days. Independent voters are eligible to participate in the August Primary Election but must make a ballot choice at BeBallotReady.vote or at a Vote Center. Registered voters still have until July 24 to request a ballot be sent in the mail.

 “We’re proud to serve more than 75% of Maricopa County voters through our mail-in ballot option, while still being able to provide voters with in-person voting options in large spaces that have increased safety measures,” Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes stated in a release.

In-person voters can expect to see locations large enough to allow for physical distancing, the release states. Since the county is moving to a “vote anywhere” Vote Center election model, voters can choose the time and location that works for them, including some evenings and weekends. Locations are open from July 8-Aug. 4.

Vote Centers open today include:

  • Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Bell Canyon Pavilions, 2710 W. Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Two additional Vote Center locations will open this week. All other Voter Center locations will open through a phased approach throughout the election. Find more Vote Centers at Locations.Maricopa.Vote.

Maricopa County offiicals are implementing enhanced safety protocols, including requiring poll workers to wear masks, face shields and gloves, and frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces and sanitizing pens after each use. Officials will have masks and gloves available for all voters should they not bring their own, according to the release.

These safety precautions, increased access to voting by mail, and the increased frequency of location openings and options, are all part of Maricopa County’s election plan to expand voting access, while focusing on the health and safety of voters and poll workers, the release states.

With potentially historic voter turnout, the county is preparing for more than 700,000 voters to cast a ballot for the Primary Election, the release states. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, election models estimated about 100,000 of those voters would turnout on Election Day.

Statewide, voters who are not on the Permanent Early Voting List can join or make a one-time ballot-by-mail request by visiting azsos.gov/votebymail. Independent voters will need to select a ballot style to participate in the Primary Election, even if they are on the Permanent Early Voting List. Voters can contact their county recorder or visit azsos.gov/votebymail

Voters can also verify whether they are on the Permanent Early Voting List and check the status of their early ballot at Arizona.Vote.

If voting by mail is not an option, voters are encouraged to vote early in-person, when crowds tend to be smaller and exposure to others is reduced, according to the Arizona Secretary of State Office. Arizona has an early voting period that starts 27 days before the election. Voters should contact their county recorder’s office for details on early voting locations and days/hours of operation. For a complete contact list of election officials in Arizona, visit http://go.azsos.gov/lndl.

Also, ballots returned by mail must be received by the voter’s county election officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day. To ensure timely delivery, election officials encourage voters to mail ballots by July 29, or drop off their ballot at any ballot drop-box, drop-off location or voting location in their county. Voters can contact their county recorder’s office to learn more.

“As we move closer toward Election Day, we are encouraging voters to make sure they prepare beforehand and make a plan to vote in a way that is meaningful to them, whether that’s voting by mail or in person,” Secretary of State Hobbs stated in a release. “Voters should turn to their most trusted sources – state and local election officials – for accurate and up-to-date election information.”

For example, a new state law requires all in-person voters, including people who vote early in-person, to show acceptable identification. A list of acceptable identification options is available online.

Maricopa County Informacion en Espanol

Hoy comienza la votación temprana para la Elección Primaria de agosto. Más de 1.3 millones de boletas están en camino para ser entregadas a los votantes, y los Centros de Votación están ahora abiertos.

Con un mayor acceso, los votantes del Condado Maricopa pueden elegir votar por correo o en persona para la Primaria.

Los votantes que solicitaron una boleta por correo o están en la Lista Permanente de Votación Temprana (PEVL), deben de estar pendientes de un sobre amarillo en su buzón dentro de los próximos días. Los votantes independientes son elegibles para participar en la Elección Primaria de Agosto, pero deben seleccionar el tipo de boleta en TengaBoletaLista.Voto o en el Centro de Votación. Los votantes registrados todavía tienen hasta el 24 de julio para solicitar una boleta por correo en TengaBoletaLista.Voto.

"Estamos orgullosos de servir a más de 75% de los votantes del Condado Maricopa a través de nuestra opción de votación por correo, mientras que todavía se puede proporcionar a los votantes las opciones de votación en persona en espacios grandes con mayores medidas de seguridad,” dijo el Registrador del Condado Maricopa Adrian Fontes.

Los votantes en persona verán al llegar que los lugares son suficientemente grandes para permitir el distanciamiento físico. Dado que el condado se está cambiando hacia un modelo de elección de Centros de Votación “vote en cualquier lugar,” los votantes pueden elegir el horario y el lugar que mejor les funcione, incluyendo algunas tardes y fines de semana. Las ubicaciones están abiertas del 8 de julio al 4 de agosto.

Los centros de votación abiertos hoy incluyen:

  • Surprise City Hall, 16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374
  • Bell Canyon Pavilions, 2710 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Dos ubicaciones adicionales de Centros de Votación abrirán esta semana. Todas las demás ubicaciones de los Centros de Votación se irán abriendo a través de un enfoque gradual durante la elección. Encuentre más Centros de Votación en Ubicaciones.Maricopa.Voto.

Estamos implementando protocolos de seguridad mejorados, incluyendo el uso obligatorio a los trabajadores electorales de mascarillas, protectores faciales y guantes, y que frecuentemente se limpie superficies de alto contacto y se desinfecte las plumas después de cada uso. Tendremos mascarillas y guantes disponibles para todos los votantes en caso de que lo necesiten.

Estas precauciones de seguridad, un mayor acceso a la votación por correo y el aumento en la frecuencia de aperturas y opciones de las ubicaciones, son parte del plan electoral del Condado Maricopa para expandir el acceso al voto, mientras se enfoca en la salud y la seguridad de los votantes y los trabajadores electorales.

Con una participación electoral potencialmente histórica, el condado está preparado para que más de 700,000 votantes emitan su voto para la Elección Primaria. Antes de la pandemia de COVID-19, los modelos electorales estimaron que alrededor de 100,000 de esos votantes participarían el Día de la Elección, 4 de agosto de 2020.

Para obtener más información sobre lo que contiene su boleta, ubicaciones de los Centro de Votación y más, visite TengaBoletaLista.Voto.