Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Arizona’s free newsletter here.
This story was adapted from an article originally published June 17, 2026.
Get ready, desert voters — another election is approaching.
It’s a midterm year, which means key congressional seats and top state positions are up for grabs in the upcoming general election. As usual, Arizona is expected to be at the center of the action. Its voters could play an outsized role in shaping the makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives and potentially tilt the balance of national power.
Election Day is Nov. 3, but voting starts on Oct. 7.
We compiled answers to some common questions about the election. Here’s everything you need to know to cast your ballot.
What offices are on the ballot in Arizona?
At the federal level, voters will select members of the House of Representatives. Neither of the state’s U.S. Senate seats is up for election this year.
Voters will also decide all of the state’s top positions, including governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Every seat in both chambers of the Arizona Legislature is also up for election this year.
Additionally, voters will weigh in on a variety of ballot measures. That includes measures that would require voters to show ID when they vote by mail, bar public institutions from implementing diversity efforts, ban photo traffic enforcement systems, and more.
Finally, a number of local offices will appear on voters’ ballots. In some cases, local candidates may proceed to a runoff election, depending on the results of the vote and the municipality’s rules.
How can I check if I’m registered to vote?
You can check your registration status through My.Arizona.Vote.
To use the site, you’ll need to provide one of the following:
- Your driver’s license number
- Your tribal identification card number
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
How can I register to vote?
You can register to vote online if you have an Arizona driver’s license or state ID.
Otherwise, you’ll need to register with a paper voter registration form. You can return the form to your county recorder by mail or drop it off at their office.
If you register with a paper form, you must provide proof of citizenship to be eligible to vote a full ballot. Remember to include a photocopy of one of these documents:
- Your Arizona driver’s license
- Your Arizona non-operating identification card
- Your birth certificate
- The photo identification page of your U.S. passport or passport card
- Your naturalization documents
- Your alien registration number
- Your U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs or tribal identification card
If you do not provide proof of citizenship, you may still be registered to vote but will only be eligible to participate in federal races — not state or local contests.
How can I tell if I’m eligible to vote?
In Arizona, you are qualified to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old by the date of the election, and a resident of the state for at least 29 days before the election.
You cannot register to vote if you are a convicted felon and your rights have not been restored, or if you have been adjudicated as an incapacitated person.
When is the deadline to register to vote in the election?
The voter registration deadline for the general election is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. Be sure to check your registration status before the deadline if you wish to participate in the election.
When is the voting period?
Mail ballots go out starting on Wednesday, Oct. 7. That’s also the first day of in-person voting. Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and is the last day to vote.
How can I get a ballot in the mail?
If you are signed up for the state’s Active Early Voting List, you will automatically receive a ballot in the mail.
If you’re not on the list but want to vote by mail, you must contact your county election officials to request a one-time mail ballot.
The deadline to request a mail ballot is Oct. 23.
I’m out of town. Will my ballot be forwarded?
No, your ballot will not be automatically sent to your temporary address, even if you’ve set up mail forwarding. State law does not allow the U.S. Postal Service to forward official election materials, such as ballots.
If you need a ballot forwarded, you should contact your county recorder.
Have there been changes to mail voting this year?
No. President Donald Trump tried to put new restrictions on mail voting this year, but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked them from going into effect for the midterms.
Officials have repeatedly sought to assure voters that mail voting remains a safe and secure option. The Pinal County Recorder’s Office said in a Sept. 1 statement that its processes had not changed ahead of the court’s decision and that it was planning to send mail ballots to voters who had requested them.
“Pinal County voters have several secure and convenient ways to cast their ballot,” said Recorder Dana Lewis, a Republican. “Whether voting by mail, using a secure ballot dropbox, voting early in person, or voting on Election Day, we encourage voters to know their options, plan ahead, and choose the method that works best for them.”
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, said in a Sept. 14 press statement that voting by mail was “not only secure, but one of the easiest ways to expand access to voting, increase participation in our elections, and ensure that every eligible voter in the state can vote.”
“We’re good now,” he said in a separate video posted to social media after the Supreme Court’s ruling.
When is the deadline to return my mail ballot?
Your ballot must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, or else it won’t be counted. To account for possible mail delays, you should put your ballot in the mail seven to 10 days before the election — by Oct. 27 at the latest. Officials generally recommend mailing back your ballot as early as possible, particularly in rural areas.
Postage is prepaid, so your ballot does not require a stamp.
Can I drop off my ballot in person instead?
Yes. Counties typically offer freestanding drop boxes where voters can return their ballots. Check with your local election officials for locations.
Voters can also return their mail ballots at polling sites during the early voting period or on Election Day.
Those who do so can opt to show ID when dropping off their ballots to have them counted sooner. If you choose to show ID, you may have to wait in line at the voting location. Some counties may offer a separate line for voters who are dropping off their mail ballot with their ID. Others may require you to stand in the same line as in-person voters.
If you choose to drop off your ballot without showing ID, you can skip the line at the polls. Your ballot will go through signature verification, a process that safeguards against fraud, before being counted.
I want to vote in person. How can I do that?
All Arizona voters can cast their ballot in person, regardless of whether they were mailed a ballot. You can vote early in person or on Election Day.
If you received a mail ballot, election workers will void that ballot and give you a replacement ballot to vote. If you were not mailed a ballot, you will receive one when you arrive at the polling place.
Some counties assign polling places to voters based on their voting precinct. Others use a vote center model in which voters can go to any polling place in the county to cast their ballot. Check with your county election officials for details.
Polls are open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting hours vary by location; contact your local election officials for details.
Do I need to bring anything with me to the polls?
ID is required if you vote in person. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Your valid Arizona driver’s license
- Your valid state identification card
- Your tribal enrollment card
- Other government-issued identification
- Two items, such as a utility bill and a bank statement, that bear your name and address
Can I track my ballot?
Yes. Maricopa County voters can track their ballot at BeBallotReady.Vote. Pima County voters can track their ballot on the county recorder’s website. Voters in other parts of Arizona can track their ballot via BallotTrax.
I have more questions. How can I contact my local election officials?
The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office provides contact information for election officials by county.
All voters can contact the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office at 1-877-THE-VOTE or 602-542-8683.
If you run into any problems, we want to hear about them!
If you have any other questions or concerns about voting in Arizona, please let us know. We can be reached at az.tips@votebeat.org.
Sasha Hupka is a reporter for Votebeat based in Arizona. Contact Sasha at shupka@votebeat.org.
