2018 Primary Election - Graham County

*As of Aug 9, 2017, voter registration deadlines falling on a legal holiday or weekend move to the next immediate business day, pursuant to changes enacted by SB 1307.

**Important Date for Independent (No Party) Voters. Independent voters must choose which ballot they want to vote. If voting Democratic, Green or Republican, you won't need to re-register. If voting by mail, voters must contact their County Recorder by August 17th to specify which ballot they would like to receive (even if a voter is on the Permanent Early Voting List). Otherwise, the County Recorder won't know which ballot to send and one will not be mailed. If voting in person, a voter would ask the election worker for the ballot of their choice. The last day to vote early is August 24th!

What is the Primary Election on August 28?

Each recognized political party holds a primary election to nominate candidates. The candidates that win the nomination in the primary election advance to the general election. Arizona has an open primary which allows voters registered as “independent” to participate by designating to their County Recorder which partisan ballot they would like to receive.

Independent Voters

Arizona has an open primary, which means all registered voters can participate in the August 28th Primary Election, including independents. Independent voters can vote early by contacting their County Recorder with their preferred party ballot by August 17th (NOTE: Independents on the Permanent Early Voting List must tell their County Recorder which ballot to send them if they wish to vote early). Or, independent voters can visit the polls and choose their preferred party ballot on Election Day. For more information, click the button below and see the FAQ's below.

Independent Voters

Ways to Vote

Early voting begins on August 1st, 2018. Voters are able to vote by mail or visit an on-site early voting location. The Graham County Recorder's Office will be serving as an early voting site and is located at 921 Thatcher Boulevard, Safford AZ, 85546. Contact your county recorder, contact information below, to request a ballot by mail.

Graham County has 6 vote centers and any registered voter is able to vote at any of the 6 vote centers. Registered voters residing in Bylas and San Carlos will vote at their normal polling place but may vote at any of the vote centers located in Graham County. Registered voters residing in Klondyke and Bonita will vote at the Bonita School but may vote at any of the vote centers located in Graham County. Click the button below to view Graham County's voting locations.

Graham County's voting locations

Voter Education Tools

• Voter Dashboard - The Commission's newest tool for voters, find your district, registration status, voting locations and more!
• Debates - Attend a debate or watch online
• Mobile App - Voter Education at your fingertips
• Voter Education Guide - View statements & contact information from the candidates
• Candidate Compass - Which of Arizona's state and legislative candidates aligns with the issues you care about most?
GRAHAM COUNTY

Contact Information

County Recorder
Polly Merriman
921 Thatcher Blvd.
Safford, AZ 85546
928-428-3560
T.D.D. 928-428-3562
[email protected]

Go to Website

County Election Director
Hannah Duderstadt
921 Thatcher Blvd.
Safford, AZ 85546
928-792-5037
T.D.D. 928-428-3562
[email protected]

Go to Website

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Voting FAQ

1. When are the polls open?

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Don't forget your ID!

2. Can I vote early in the Primary?

Absolutely. If you are registered with a political party and on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL), you will automatically receive a ballot in your mailbox beginning July 6, 2022. Voters not on AEVL may make a one-time early ballot request or sign up for the Active Early Voting List, by contacting their County Recorder's Office.

3. What if I have an emergency and can't vote on Election Day?

Early voting is available through 5pm the Friday before Election Day. If a voter cannot vote during the early voting period, emergency voting is available beginning 5pm the Friday before Election Day through 5pm the Monday before Election Day. Voters must sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury that they have an emergency that prevents them from voting on Election Day (voters do not need to disclose what the emergency is).

4. Do I need ID to vote early?

It depends. If you vote early by mail, ID is not required. Your signature on the early ballot affidavit is compared to your voter registration record by the County Recorder to determine if the signature is valid.

ID is required if you vote early in person, or at a polling place or voting center on Election Day. Use our "ID at the Polls" Quiz to determine if you have sufficient identification!

5. How do I find information on candidates?

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission has mailed a Voter Education Guide to every household with a registered voter. The Guide contains statements, photos and contact information for candidates running for Statewide Office and the State Legislature. Voter Education Guides will be received in home before early voting begins.

6. How can military & overseas voters (UOCAVA) get a ballot?

Military and Overseas voters have special voting rights under federal and state law (Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)). These rights include the use of a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote and request an early ballot as well as the use of a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), which serves as an emergency back-up ballot. Learn More

7. Do I have to vote everything on my ballot?

No, voters do not have to vote everything on their ballot. The votes they do cast will still be counted. However, we encourage voters to vote down the ballot as local races, propositions, judges, etc. can impact voters' daily lives.