#FunFactFriday – Fun Facts About Voting in Arizona

It was early morning the first time I went to a polling location to cast my vote.  I had just gotten off working the night shift. There was a long line, so thinking I could go anywhere, I found another with a shorter line.  My plan was to vote and get home sleep as I have another night shift that evening.  When I arrived at the second location, I was told I could not vote but was never given a reason why.

As an 18-year-old voting for the first time, I thought my rights were being violated.  What do you mean I can’t vote? Little did I know that I should have been offered a provisional ballot and been allowed to cast my vote.

After that emotional incident, I registered to be on the Permanent Early Voting List so my voice would always be heard. The next opportunity to vote was the presidential election.  I was studying abroad in Ireland, but my parents put that ballot in the mail and sent it across the pond for me to complete. I sent in my ballot and my vote was counted.

Voting in-person has never been a good option for me. Voters in Arizona have been voting by mail since before I was born. Voting by mail is safe and secure and with COVID-19, a very good option.  However, if voting by mail doesn’t appeal to you, there are other options such as dropping at an early voting location or going to the polling booth on election day.

Some facts:

• The last day to register to vote in Arizona is on Monday, Oct. 5. Click here to register to vote.
• Around 80% of Arizonans cast an early ballot either through early voting at a polling location or by dropping their ballot in the mail.
• Every county in Arizona has a ballot-tracking system.
• Only half of the registered voters in Arizona participated in the last presidential election.
• Arizonans have been voting by mail for more than 25 years.
• If you are eligible to vote and are denied the opportunity at a polling location, request a provisional ballot. If you are denied a provisional ballot, call the Election Protection Hotline.
• If you would like to vote by mail, you need to register for an early ballot before Oct. 23 at 5p.m. You can do so here.
• You can vote early, in-person from Oct. 7 – Oct. 30. These dates and times vary for each county. Find more information about early voting in your county here.
• Most polling locations on election day are open from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.