Arizona voter registration guide: How to register to vote, voting options, what to know
Arizonans are bracing for a busy election year in 2024.
The swing state will see three statewide elections — a presidential primary on March 19, a state primary on July 30 and a general election on Nov. 5. Voters in some jurisdictions will also participate in two all-mail elections, one on March 12 and another on May 21.
Primary elections determine each political party's nomination of candidates for political offices. Party candidates who win the primaries qualify to appear on the general election ballot in November.
Here's what to know about voting in the Grand Canyon State.
Who can vote in Arizona elections?
In Arizona, you are qualified to register to vote if you are an American citizen, at least 18 years old before election day and a resident of Arizona for at least 29 days before the election.
You cannot register to vote if you are a convicted felon and your rights have not been restored, or if you have been adjudicated as an incapacitated person.
Some elections have additional restrictions. For instance, voters not affiliated with any political party cannot vote in the March presidential preference election.
These voters, commonly called independent voters, may participate in the July state primary election but must choose one political party's ballot to vote.
All registered voters may participate in the November general election.
How to register to vote in Arizona
You can register to vote online if you have an Arizona driver's license or state ID.
Otherwise, you'll need to register with a paper voter registration form. You can return the form to your county recorder by mail or drop it off.
If you register with a paper form, you must provide proof of citizenship. Arizona is the only state in the country that requires proof of citizenship in addition to a signed affidavit when you register to vote in state elections. You must be an American citizen to vote in all states, but most only require voters to sign an affidavit attesting that they are U.S. citizens under the penalty of perjury.
Remember to include a photocopy of one of these documents:
Your Arizona driver's license.
Your Arizona non-operating identification card.
Your birth certificate.
The photo identification page of your U.S. passport or passport card.
Your naturalization documents.
Your alien registration number.
Your U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs or tribal identification card.
Here is the voter registration deadline for each election:
March 12 election: Feb. 12.
Presidential preference election: Feb. 20.
May 21 election: April 22.
State primary election: July 1.
General election: Oct. 7.
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can check your registration status through My.Arizona.Vote.
To use the site, you'll need to provide one of the following:
Your driver's license number
Your tribal identification card number
The last four digits of your Social Security number
When does voting start?
Voting begins 27 days before election day. Here is the first day of voting for each election:
March 12 election: Feb. 14.
Presidential preference election: Feb. 21.
May 21 election: April 24.
State primary election: July 3.
General election: Oct. 9.
Voting by mail in Arizona
If you are on the Active Early Voting List, you will automatically be sent a ballot in the mail for every election that you are eligible to vote in. There are a few exceptions — for instance, if you are an unaffiliated voter, you must request a specific political party's ballot to vote in the July state primary election.
Some jurisdictional elections are held entirely by mail. In those elections, all qualified voters will be automatically sent a ballot regardless of whether or not they are on the Active Early Voting List.
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.
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. All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on election day to be counted.
Postage is prepaid and does not require a stamp.
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.
Voting by drop box in Arizona
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.
Voting 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. Maricopa County voters can track their ballot at BeBallotReady.Vote. Pima County voters can track their ballot on the county recorder’s website. Voters in other parts of Arizona can track their ballot via BallotTrax.
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: Arizona voter registration guide: What to know about voting
