With about 80% of Pima County residents voting by mail and ballots landing in mailboxes in about a week or so, it’s timely to encourage everyone to make a plan for the Nov. 5 General Election, which is expected to have a high turnout and will include a two-page, double-sided ballot.
The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is Monday, Oct. 7. Early voting begins on Wednesday, Oct. 9, when the Pima County Recorder’s Office will start sending early ballots by mail.
In addition to the presidential election, many local and state contests, as well as numerous propositions, will be before you. Most ballots in Pima County will have races for 34 elected offices and 13 statewide propositions, and up to six additional local and school propositions.
A sample ballots will be available soon at Pima.vote, where you also can find information about Early, Emergency, and Election Day Vote Centers, how to track your cast ballot, and more.
Addressing the possibility of longer in-person lines because of the two-page ballot and the expectation of high turnout, the Pima County Election Department is increasing voting booths, staffing, printers, and ballot stock across the 126 Vote Centers, which is anticipated to expedite voting for residents. In the Southeast Region, vote centers will be located at:
* American Legion Post 109
15921 S. Houghton Road
* Christ Lutheran Vail Church
14600 E. Colossal Cave Road
* Cienega High School
12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way
* Copper Ridge Elementary School
17650 S. Canyon Edge Trail
* Cottonwood Elementary School
9950 S. Rees Loop
* Desert Sky Middle School
9850 S. Rankin Loop
* Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School
10170 S. White Lightning Lane
* Sycamore Elementary School
16701 S. Houghton Road
You can cut your time at the polls by researching, filling in a sample ballot, and bringing it – or other notes — with you into the voting booth before casting your official ballot.
The front page of the first ballot features the individual races, including for U.S. President and U.S. Senator, as well as Pima County officials and judges. The ballot propositions fill the backside of the first card and both sides of the second page.
If voting by mail or dropping off your ballot, be sure to return both pages for tabulation. The Elections Department recommends mailing back your ballot no later than October 29.
We’re getting to the home stretch of a very long and contentious election season. I think it’s safe to assume that all of us will be relieved when it’s over. Having said that, our right to vote for candidates of our own choosing is what makes our system and our freedoms, though not perfect, the best there is. Don’t ignore this opportunity to take part in this great process. Vote!
Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, District 4
33 N. Stone Avenue, Floor 11
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-724-8094
district4@pima.gov
