Election Info FAQs
Q1: How do I find my voting location?
A: The county where you register to vote assigns you to a voting location (a.k.a. polling place) for each election. Voting locations may change from one election to another so it is important to check the location before each election. Go here to find your voting location or contact your County Elections Office.
Q2: I’ve moved and forgot to register at my new address. Can I vote at my new voting location?
A: You may vote by provisional ballot at the new voting location, as long as your driver’s license has your new address on it. If it does not, you must show two items with your current name and address, such as a utility bill and a bank statement. The full list of acceptable items to prove your residence can be found here.
Q3: What are the hours of the voting locations?
A: The polls are open from 6:00 am-7:00 pm on election day.
Q4: What identification do I need to bring to the voting location?
A: For the most up‐to‐date list of acceptable forms of identification go here or call the Secretary of State’s Office at 602.542.8683.
Q5: How do I request an early ballot?
A: Early ballots must be requested from your County Elections Office. Click the link then look for the “Request an Early Ballot” link under the “News” section for your county.
Q6: How do I get added to the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL)?
A: By joining the PEVL for your county, you will automatically receive an early ballot by mail for every election. Each County Elections Office is responsible to maintain their own PEVL. Click the link then look for your county. Navigate to your county’s website and look for information about the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL). Some counties have this listed right on their home page. Don’t hesitate to give them a call if you have any trouble.
Q7: I forgot to mail my early ballot. Is it too late?
A: Your ballot must be received by the County Elections Office no later than 7:00 pm on election day in order for your vote to count. If you do not think it will be received on time in the mail, you may drop it off at any polling place (and you don’t have to wait in line to do so). Do not be confused with the process for filing taxes and mail your ballot on election day.
Q8: I made a mistake on my early ballot. What do I do?
A: You have a couple of options: The envelope on the early ballot has a box to check if there is an error on the ballot. If there is enough time before the election, you can check that box, mail your ballot in, and your County Elections Office will send you a new one. You may also check the box and take it to your polling place on Election Day and request a provisional ballot.
Q9: I’m going to be out of town on Election Day and don’t have an early ballot. Can I still vote early?
A: Yes, you do not need to have an early ballot in order to vote early. Early voting begins 26 days before an election. View this list of Early Voting Locations and view the Key Election Dates to see when early voting begins.
Q10: Do they only count my early or provisional ballot if the election is close?
A: No. Absolutely ALL valid early and provisional ballots are counted. The only ballots that are not counted are those where the signature does not match, or for a provisional ballot, the person was not eligible to cast a ballot in the election or polling place. You can always check the status of your early or provisional ballot on the Voter View elections website: https://voter.azsos.gov/
Q11: What is the process for counting early and provisional ballots?
A: All early ballots are treated the same, no matter if sent by mail, voted in person at an early voting location, or dropped off on election day at a voting location. In most cases with early ballots the voter encloses their voted ballot in an envelope and signs the envelope. That signature is compared to their voter registration record to ensure it is the voter’s signature. For early voters in person who use the accessible voting machines, these are tabulated on the machine but the Recorder likewise verifies the person’s signature. Provisional ballots are used on election day to record a vote when the voter’s eligibility is in question.
After the signature is verified on an early ballot, the ballots are held. State law does not permit early ballots to be tabulated until the Tuesday before the election (one week before election day), and state law gives the counties ten calendar days after election day to verify and process any remaining early and provisional ballots. Again, absolutely ALL valid early and provisional ballots are verified, counted, and the final counts tabulated. You can always check the status of your early or provisional ballot on the Voter View elections website: https://voter.azsos.gov/
Elections are not over until every early and provisional ballot has been processed. While the races at the top of the ballot may have been declared “over” by the media, all early and provisional ballots must be processed in every election regardless of the outcome.
Q12: I am registered as an independent. Can I still vote in the Primary Election?
A: Yes and No.
Arizona has a limited “Open Primary” system. The Arizona Constitution allows voters who are registered as independents, no party preference, or members of a party that is not qualified for the ballot to vote in the state Primary Election [Ariz. Const. Art. VII, § 10]. Only names of candidates of “recognized” parties appear on a Primary Election ballot. Voters registered in a “recognized” political party may vote only the Primary Election ballot for their political party [A.R.S. § 16-467(B)]. “Recognized” parties are parties which have achieved Primary ballot status through the petition process pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 16-244, 16-801, 16-802, and 16-803 or by qualifying for continued representation on the Primary Election ballot through ballots cast or voter registration, as provided in A.R.S. § 16-804.
Currently in Arizona, the Americans Elect, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, and Republican parties are qualified for the ballot. Independents, no party preference, and voters registered as other parties may choose in which of those parties’ primaries they wish to vote. However, because of a federal court order, only registered members of the Arizona Libertarian Party may vote in the Libertarian Party Primary Election. If you want to request an early ballot, you must call your County Elections Office to request which party’s ballot you want. If you are visiting one of the Early Voting Locations in person or voting on election day, simply request which ballot you want.
Please note the “Open Primary” provision does not apply to the Presidential Preference Primary Election every four years.
Q13: I would like to pass out fliers at my polling place on Election Day. What are the requirements?
A: Signs, fliers, and speech encouraging people to vote for or against a particular candidate or issue are permitted outside of a polling place, as long as they are 75 feet away from the main entrance being used by voters.
Q14: How does a church or other organization volunteer to become a voting location?
A: If you are in Maricopa County you can call 602.506.3535. All other counties should contact your County Elections Office. Polling places are usually designated 3-6 months before an election, but do feel free to contact your Elections Department as they are often looking for new voting locations.
Q15: What are the Key Election Dates to remember?
A: Click here to view the Key Election Dates.