One of the most exciting rights of passage when turning 18 is getting to VOTE and having the opportunity to have your voice heard. But, in order to check the box on your ballot, there are some very important steps you must follow to prepare to vote. To vote, you must first register and you must meet the following requirements (A.R.S. §16-101):

• A citizen of the United States
• Will be 18 or older on or before the date of the next regular general election following your registration
• A resident of the state for 29 days immediately before the election
• Able to write your name, unless prevented by physical disability
• Not convicted of treason or a felony (unless your civil rights have been restored)
• Not adjudicated as an incapacitated person as defined in Arizona law (A.R.S. §14-5101)

See the Arizona Constitution Article 7 §2 and A.R.S. §16-101 for additional information about voting in Arizona.

 

Q: Where do I go to register to vote?

A: There are several ways you can register to vote:

• Your County Elections' Department for which you can access a full list at azsos.gov/county-election-info
• If you have a valid AZ Driver's License or ID, you can register through ServiceArizona.com
• You can download the registration form on the Arizona Secretary of State's website and the instructions (azsos.gov)

The Arizona Secretary of State has a voting information page at: azsos.gov/elections/voting-election

 

Q: I forgot to register. Can I just show up to vote anyway?

A: No. Unfortunately, you cannot vote unless you have properly registered and your name appears in both the general county register and in the precinct register or list of your precinct and election districts (A.R.S. §16-122). However, there are some exceptions (A.R.S §16-125, A.R.S. §16-135, & A.R.S. §16-584).

 

Q: I filled out in early ballot but then forgot to mail it in, can I just vote at the pole?

A: If you forgot to mail in your early ballot on time, you can skip the line and turn it in at any polling location in your county. The polling workers will show you where to drop off your early ballot.

 

Q: Where do I vote?

A: You may vote at the polling place in the precinct in which you live. The county elections office establishes the polling place for your neighborhood. Additionally, some counties have voting centers that allow eligible voters to vote at any center in their county. You may also vote early, by requesting an official early ballot from your county recorder or other officer in charge of the election within 93 days before the election (A.R.S. §16-541 & A.R.S. §16-542). Early ballots are mailed in allowing individuals to vote without going to a polling place.

 

Q: What do I need to bring to the polls?

A: When you arrive to vote at the polls on election day, you will provide your name and place of residence to the election official and present one form of identification from the list below. If you do not have one of the items below you can still vote using two forms of alternate identification. The list of alternate identification can be found on the state legislators page under (A.R.S. §16-579(A)).

Acceptable forms of identification include: Arizona driver's license; Arizona identification card; Tribal enrollment card or other forms of tribal identification; United States federal; state; or local government issued identification.

 

Q: If I’m away at college, can I just vote there?

A: Yes, but only if you have registered there. Otherwise you will need to vote “absentee” with an official early ballot for the precinct in which you are registered (A.R.S. §16-543).

 

Q: How can I change my address?

A: You may change your address online at ServiceArizona.com if you have a state issued I.D. or by mail or in person at your County Recorder’s Office.

 

Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated.  The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here.