With the general election 47 days away, Maricopa County approved contactless voting and other changes for submitting your ballot.
The risk of COVID has forced many U.S. counties to adjust voting protocols to include disinfecting high-touch areas, implementing the use of personal protective equipment and social distancing to allow for safe voting.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Election Day and Emergency Voting plan on Wednesday, which covered voting centers and how to vote amidst the pandemic.
Maricopa County has partnered with the Coyotes, Suns, Cardinals, and Diamondbacks to use their facilities as voting stations, according to the meeting. Drop boxes will be placed in parking lots to allow people to submit ballots, resulting in safer and contactless voting.
In @maricopacounty, elections are safe, accessible & secure. We want to make sure nothing stops you from exercising your right to vote. Learn more about our accessible voting devices, braille & large print ballots. Visit https://t.co/cUEt2u8Llu or call 602-506-1511 #BeBallotReady pic.twitter.com/8xkxGNZG1d
— Maricopa County Elections Department (@MaricopaVote) September 9, 2020
Maricopa County is also allowing voters to vote at any station in the county.
“Because of the need for physical distancing and heightened safety protocols, voting locations may have moved, but we are expanding access through a Vote Center model,” Jarrett said at the meeting.
This model allows for voters to choose from any center in the county rather than their normally assigned precinct. For instance, you can vote at the poll closest to your job on the way to work.
The last day to register to vote for the general election is Oct. 5, which can be done at ServiceArizona.com. Almost 78% of the 2.5 million registered voters in the county have opted to vote by mail, having already requested a mail-in ballot, according to a press release.
The Secretary of State’s office announced that the last day to register for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 23. Registration is required to vote to opt to receive a mail-in ballot.
Another new addition to this election is a way to track your ballot after it is sent. This is another safety protocol to ensure that your ballot has made it to county officials to be counted.
Security measures are in place to ensure the integrity of your ballot. From the moment you request a ballot to when we count it. Only registered voters may request a ballot & 100% of early ballots are signature verified. Our new tabulation equipment gets results faster than ever. https://t.co/ETS3DDYwzY
— Maricopa County Elections Department (@MaricopaVote) August 8, 2020
“A key part of transparent elections is giving the voters that ability to track their ballot,” Valenzuela said. “I just want to reemphasize to advocacy groups and those listening that we really encourage people to help us with that transparency part and check your ballot.”
“Maricopa County uses business reply first-class mail there’s no need to put a stamp on your ballot, it is already the fastest it can come. We do still ask that you mail that back within seven days,” Valenzuela continued.
This seven-day request comes from the USPS and county officials. Valenzuela also informed the Board of Supervisors that he confirmed with the USPS that Maricopa County would have the same throughput as it would in a normal year. This comes after national reports of mail sorting machines being removed bringing up an issue of the timely processing of ballots.
Once your ballot is sent, voters can text “Join” to 628-683, which will give the voters the ability to track their ballot.
Contact the reporter at jaearly@asu.edu.
