Where to drop off your Arizona ballot and how to track it for the midterm election
Early polls opened and early ballots went out to Maricopa County voters on Oct. 12, marking the start of voting season.
About 79% of Phoenix-area voters are signed up to automatically get their ballot in the mail. If you're one of those people, you should receive your ballot shortly, if you haven't already. You can check your ballot status at the Arizona Voter Information Portal.
If you aren't signed up to get a ballot in the mail, you can vote in person at an early voting site or reach out to your county recorder to request a mailed ballot by Oct. 28.
Here's everything you need to know about how to vote in advance of Election Day on Nov. 8.
How do I vote by mail?
Once you receive your ballot, you'll need to fill it out and return it.
Election officials recommend using a blue or black pen to complete your ballot. Tabulators, the machines that count your vote, cannot read red ink, so you shouldn't use a red pen.
Don't forget to sign the return envelope with your affidavit.
When you're ready to cast your vote, you can mail back your ballot in its return envelope. Postage is prepaid, so stamps aren't necessary.
You also can drop off your early ballot, in its signed return envelope, at any of Maricopa County's voting centers.
What if I'm out of town?
If you're away for the election, you should note that Arizona law does not allow the postal service to forward official election materials, like ballots, to temporary addresses.
Instead, you'll need to reach out to your county recorder to request a one-time early ballot be sent to your temporary mailing address, which must be within the U.S.
You will need to provide your full name, residence, temporary mailing address and date of birth for verification.
Can I get off the vote-by-mail list?
Yes, you can request to be removed from the list via the Service Arizona portal or by contacting your county recorder's office.
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By state law, you would have needed to remove yourself from the list by Sept. 23 to avoid getting your ballot mailed for the November election. If you remove yourself after that date, you can choose to either vote the ballot you are mailed or vote early in person.
Where can I drop off my mailed ballot?
You can drop off your ballot at any early voting site or U.S. Postal Service mailbox. Beginning Oct. 12, a dozen early sites opened in Maricopa County, plus another 18 sites that are drop box only.
Two of those drop boxes — one at the main elections center near downtown Phoenix and one at the Maricopa County Juvenile Court in Mesa — are drive-thru sites.
The full list of voting locations is available on the Maricopa County Elections Department website.
If I get a mailed ballot, can I still vote in person?
Yes, you can.
You don't have to return your mailed ballot. If you show up to vote in person, your mailed one will be voided when your in-person vote is cast.
If I vote early in person, do I need identification?
Yes, you'll need to show identification at the polls. 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.
Where are the early in-person voting sites?
Starting Oct. 12, a dozen sites will be open across the Valley from Buckeye City Hall to Indian Bend Wash Visitor Center in Scottsdale, plus another 18 sites that are drop box only. The full list of voting locations is available on the Maricopa County Elections Department website.
The number of early voting sites will continue to increase leading up to Nov. 8 when roughly 220 polling locations across Maricopa County will be open for voting.
Can I track my ballot?
Yes, you can. Arizona voters can track their ballots at the Arizona Voter Information Portal.
Maricopa County voters can track their ballots online on their voter dashboard at BeBallotReady.Vote.
Maricopa County voters can also text “JOIN” to 628683 to receive text notifications of when their ballot gets counted, verified and other details.
Election guide: November 2022
City races | School boards | State | Governor
| Ballot measures | Federal races | How to vote
What deadlines should I be aware of?
There's a few dates to keep in mind this voting season.
Oct. 12: Early voting begins and ballots are mailed; early voting locations and drop-boxes become available.
Oct. 28: Last day to request a ballot in the mail.
Nov. 1: Last day to mail back your ballot.
Nov. 8: Election Day.
Sasha Hupka covers Maricopa County and regional issues for The Arizona Republic with a focus on voting and democracy. Do you have a tip about elections or questions about voting? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SashaHupka.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona early voting: Where to drop off your ballot and more
