Arizona early ballots go out soon. What to know about voting by mail, drop boxes and more
Arizonans, get ready: Voting for the state's first major election of the year is about to begin.
Republican and Democratic voters will select their choice of their party's presidential nominee during the upcoming presidential preference election.
Republicans will choose from nine possible nominees, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Democrats will see seven candidates on the ballot, including President Joe Biden.
Independents are not eligible to vote in the presidential preference election unless they change their party affiliation.
Early ballots will be mailed on Feb. 21, marking the start of the voting period. That's right after the voter registration deadline, which falls on Feb. 20.
Election day is March 19 — but if you plan to get an early start on voting, here's what to know.
Will I get an early ballot?
If you a registered Republican or Democrat and you are on the Active Early Voting List, you will automatically be sent a ballot in the mail to vote in the presidential preference election.Remember: Independents aren't eligible to vote in this election and won't receive a ballot.
I'm out of town. Will my ballot be forwarded?
No, your ballot will not be automatically sent to your temporary address. Arizona law does not allow official election materials, such as ballots, to be forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service.
If you need a ballot forwarded, you should contact your county recorder.
How do I return my ballot?
Once you receive your ballot, you can return it by mail, drop it off at a secure ballot drop box or voting location, or vote a replacement ballot in person.
Some overseas voters have the option of receiving and returning their ballots electronically.
How do I return my ballot by mail?
If you're mailing back your ballot, you should put it in the mail no later than seven days before election day to ensure it is delivered on time. For the upcoming presidential preference election, that date is March 12.
All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on election day to be counted.
Postage is prepaid and does not require a stamp.
What if I miss the deadline to mail back my ballot?
You can still vote by dropping off your ballot at a drop box or vote in person at a polling location.
How do I return my ballot via drop box?
If you receive a ballot by mail, you can return it by dropping it off at a secure drop box.
Most Arizona counties offer at least a handful of these boxes. Some are located inside polling places and are only accessible when those sites are open. Others are located outdoors and are available for voters at all times.
To find ballot drop boxes in your area, check your county recorder's website.
Is voting by mail or drop box secure?
Yes, both methods are safe and secure.
Only registered voters may request a ballot in the mail, and each voter must sign the outside of their ballot envelope. Those signatures are checked by election workers before a ballot is counted.
Penalties are steep for tampering with mail, which dissuades theft. The U.S. Postal Service began replacing some outdated boxes last year with ones more resistant to mail tampering.
Election officials say drop boxes are under constant camera surveillance. Different counties also take various additional security measures, such as installing GPS tracking devices and tamper-proof tabs on the boxes.
Bipartisan teams are tasked with picking up ballots from regional postal centers and drop boxes. They fill out forms that establish chain of custody for ballots, which remain unopened until they are signature verified and ready to be counted.
All of that ensures that your ballot stays safe and secure after you vote it.
How do I vote early in person in Arizona?
All voters can cast their ballot in person in Arizona, regardless of whether or not they were mailed a ballot. You can vote early in person or on election day.
If you are on the Active Early Voting List, election workers will void your mailed ballot and give you a replacement ballot to vote on. If you were not mailed a ballot, you will receive one when you arrive at the polling place.
Some counties assign polling places to voters based on their voting precinct. Others use a vote center model in which voters can go to any polling place in the county to cast their ballot. Check with your county election officials for details.
ID is required if you vote in person. Acceptable forms of ID include:
Your valid Arizona driver's license
Your valid state identification card
Your tribal enrollment card
Other government-issued identification
Two items such as a utility bill and a bank statement that bear your name and address
Can I track my ballot?
Yes. Arizona voters can track their ballots at the Arizona Voter Information Portal.
Still have questions?
The Arizona Secretary of State's Office provides contact information for election officials by county.
All voters can contact the Arizona Secretary of State's Office at 1-877-THE-VOTE or 602-542-8683.
Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip to share on elections or voting? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ early voting: What to know about presidential preference election
