Pima County Recorder’s Office systems were down Friday, July 19 caused by the global technology outage. If you need to request a mail ballot, call 1-520-724-4330 .
Elections can be confusing for independent voters in Arizona. If you’re not affiliated with a political party, you can vote in Arizona’s primary election in July 2024, but you’ll need to take an extra step or two.
While people who are registered to vote with a recognized political party by July 1 will automatically get a ballot for that specific party, independent voters — who make up about a third of registered voters in Arizona — need to request a ballot to participate in the primaries.
The four recognized political parties are Democrat, Republican, Green and Libertarian. Independents who choose to vote in the primary election can request and obtain a Democrat or Republican ballot by mail or in person.
“A voter approved initiative gave independent voters the right to vote in Arizona’s primary many years ago, but this process is still confusing to many people and requires independent voters to jump through extra hoops to exercise their right,” Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a press statement.
Participation from independent voters can be important. Research from the Bipartisan Policy Center found low-turnout primaries may allow more-extreme candidates to advance to the general election and win races.
In Arizona, about 14% of independent voters participated in the primary elections in 2020 and 2022, said Doug Cole, a political consultant at HighGround.
Here are three ways independent voters can participate:
Independents who are on the Early Voting List will receive a postcard in the mail asking them to choose which party ballot they wish to receive.
If you’re an independent voter and want to vote in person, you can ask for a ballot for one party when you arrive at a polling place. Use this tool to find a polling place and remember to bring ID . The dates are July 3-26 for early voting, or you can vote on Primary Election Day, July 30.
One more time because voting shouldn’t be confusing: Can independents vote in the July 2024 Primary Election?
Yes! Although independents need to take an extra step to select which political party’s ballot they want to use to vote.
Why should anyone vote in the primary election?
About a third of all Arizona voters typically participate in primary elections, according to numbers from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office. So why bother voting in the primary?
A couple of reasons:
Some races will be decided in the primary, including the Pima County Attorney and legislative districts that lean heavily toward one party.
Plus, there are some nonpartisan municipal-level elections, including the towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, and the tiny city of South Tucson. If you live in one of those cities or towns, you may want a say in choosing your town council or city council members. Nonpartisan means there won’t be party labels alongside the candidates’ names.
Why might an independent voter want to choose a Republican ballot?
Many primary races are uncontested, and those candidates advance to the general election ballot. Here are some of the races where voters can make a difference in the primary election.
At the federal level, you can vote in the races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. Representative to Congress in District 6. On the Republican ballot, there are three candidates for Senate and two candidates for Congress. The Democrats in these races are unopposed in the primary.
At the state level, if you live in Legislative Districts 16 or 17, you can vote on a few seats in the state legislature. District 16 includes parts of Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties and District 17 includes parts of Pima, Pinal and Cochise counties. Use this lookup tool to see which district you live in.
At the county level, you’ll have three candidates to choose from for Pima County Sheriff. And if you live in District 2, you’ll have two candidates to choose from for the Pima County Supervisor. Use this lookup tool to see which district you live in.
Why might an independent voter want to choose a Democratic ballot?
At the state level, you can help choose one of two candidates to make it to the November ballot for State Senator in District 23 and which two out of three candidates will advance for State House in Districts 21 and 23.
At the county level, you’ll be helping to choose the Pima County Attorney. And you can also help decide which of two candidates will advance to the general election for the Pima County Treasurer job. Depending on which district you live in, you’ll have multiple Democratic candidates to choose from for Pima County Supervisor in Districts 1 and 3. Use this lookup tool to see which district you live in.
Can I switch parties between the primary election in July and the general election in November?
Yes. You need to register to vote by July 1 to participate in the primary election. Register to vote by Oct. 7 to participate in the general election in November. In the general election, you’ll see candidates from all parties on one ballot, unlike the primary election, when you’ll only see candidates from one party on your ballot.
How can I check my own voter registration details?
Use this tool to check whether you’re registered to vote, which party you’re registered with, whether you need to update your address, or whether you’re on the early voting list.
What if this is my first time voting?
Get ready to vote! You’ll need to register to vote by July 1 to participate in the primary election. Register to vote by Oct. 7 to participate in the general election in November.
July 1, 2024 – Deadline to register to vote for the 2024 Primary Election
July 3, 2024 – Early voting begins and ballots are mailed to eligible voters on the Active Early Voting List and other eligible voters who have requested a one-time ballot by mail
July 19, 2024 – Last day to request an early ballot-by-mail for the 2024 Primary Election
July 20 – July 23, 2024 – Recommended dates to mail your early ballot back to ensure it is received by county election officials by 7 p.m. on July 30, 2024
July 26, 2024 – Early in-person voting ends at 7 p.m.
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