How To Register in Arizona
Arizona provides several ways to register. Voters may register:
Whichever method you choose, your registration must include your full legal name, residential address or description of your residential location, date of birth, signature, affirmation of citizenship, and last four digits of either your Social Security number, Arizona driver’s license, or ID number.
Voter Registration Deadlines
The deadline to register to vote is 29 days before a primary election or general election. For online registrations, the registration must be complete and accepted by 11:59 p.m. on the last day to register to vote.
Paper registrations that are dropped off, delivered, or completed in person must be received before the close of business at the County Recorder’s Office on the last day to register to vote.
In the case of registration by mail, a voter registration is valid for an election if it complies with either of the following:
- The registration form is postmarked twenty-nine days or more before an election and received by the county recorder by 7:00 p.m. on the day of that election
- The registration is dated twenty-nine days or more before an election and is received by the county recorder by first-class mail within five days after the last day to register to vote in that election
It may still be possible to vote in an election even if a registration doesn’t arrive in time. If the general election is on November 5, the registration deadline is October 7 (29 days before the election). A mailed registration that is dated on or before October 7 will still be valid for that election if the county recorder receives it by first‑class mail no later than October 12.
If your registration is late, you’ll be eligible to vote in subsequent elections. For instance, if you miss the primary election deadline, you can still vote in the next general election.
In-person drop-offs can also be made at:
- The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office
- Any AZMVD office
- Any voter registration assistance agency
- Any authorized voter registration volunteer office
When it comes to voting registration, sooner is better than later.
Registration and Voting Rights of Former Felons
In Arizona, a felony conviction suspends your right to vote during your incarceration. Upon your release after a first felony conviction, your voting rights are automatically restored. You must complete all required probation or parole, but you don’t need to apply to have your rights restored.
After a second conviction, restoration is no longer automatic. You must complete your probation and parole, pay all fines and court-ordered restitution, and apply for civil rights restoration with the court. In both cases, you may need to register to vote again in your county of residence.
How To Vote in Arizona
Arizona offers both early voting and Election Day voting for its voters.
Early Voting
When registering, you can sign up for the Active Early Voting List (AEVL). This can also be done at a later date, but you must sign up at least 11 days before an election to receive a ballot-by-mail.
Overseas and out-of-state voters who need a one-time early ballot can request one online, by mail, or via email to the Secretary of State’s office or the County Recorder’s office. The application must be received at least 11 days before election day.
All mail-in ballots must be received in the County Recorder’s Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
In-Person Voting
If you prefer to vote in person, you can find your polling location on the Arizona Secretary of State‘s website. When you arrive, you must tell the polling official your name and address or place of residence. You must provide EITHER a photo ID OR two non-photo IDs.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Valid Arizona driver’s license
- Valid Arizona ID card
- Tribal enrollment card or other tribal identification
- Valid U.S. government-issued identification (federal, state, local)
You only need one form of identification with a photograph.
If you do not have a photo ID, you can still provide two forms of proof of identity without a photo. Valid forms of non-photo ID include:
- A utility bill (gas, water, sewer, etc.) dated within 90 days of the election date
- Valid Arizona vehicle registration or Arizona vehicle insurance card
- Bank or credit union statement dated within 90 days of the election date
- Indian census card or other tribal identification
- Recorder’s certificate or voter registration card
- Any mailing with the voter’s name marked “Official Election Material”
You must have at least two of these as forms of identification.
If the address on your photo ID does not match your current residence, you can use a photo ID with one other document from the second list. For instance, if you recently moved and haven’t updated your driver’s license yet, you can use a current utility bill as proof of residence.
Provisional Ballots
All legal voters can participate on Election Day. Under Arizona law, if a voter does not have an acceptable ID on Election Day, they must receive a provisional ballot. The ballot will not be counted until the voter provides proof of identity to the County Recorder’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on:
- The fifth calendar day after a general or federal election
- The third business day after any other election
You also have the right to receive a provisional ballot if:
- You received an early ballot but need to change your vote
- You registered, but your name does not appear on the precinct register
- You recently changed your name
- You recently moved within the county and did not update your voter registration
All legal voters have the right to cast a ballot on election day. You must receive a provisional ballot if you are a resident of the precinct where you wish to vote.
What special accommodations are available?
All Arizona polling places and vote centers must provide accessible voting. If the location itself is not already fully accessible for those with special needs, handicapped parking and other modifications will be made so that voters can easily access the polls.
All locations must have wheelchair-accessible polling stations and polling devices with magnifying devices, large-print pamphlets, and ballots. Curbside voting is available for those unable to enter the polling location.
Voters who need verbal or written assistance to complete a ballot or to understand written material may request assistance from poll workers, including poll workers from different parties, or from a person whom the individual with a disability chooses.
What if you see illegal activity at the polls?
Arizona law prohibits electioneering, handing out election material, or attempting to influence an election within 75 feet of a polling location. Carrying firearms, even properly licensed firearms, within the 75-foot perimeter or into the polls, is a violation of the law.
State and federal laws prohibit any form of discrimination at or outside a polling location with the intent to harass voters, intimidate poll workers, or influence voters or an election in any way. The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office advises against confronting anyone at the polling place yourself. Instead, inform a poll worker of the issue or 911 if you or another person is in imminent danger.
You can also contact an experienced voting rights lawyer in Arizona for help. They’ll discuss your situation and determine if someone has violated your rights. They can also help report suspicious or dangerous behavior at the polling place.
POLLING PLACE FINDER
