Aug. 30 Primary Election

Why guess in the upcoming election? Get all the key dates, interactive tools and resources you need to vote informed.

Home What We Do Past Elections August 30, 2016 Election

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY ELECTION ON AUGUST 30?

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.

Learn How to Participate in the Primary Election

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Arizona has an open primary, which means all registered voters can participate in the August 30th Primary Election, including independents. Independent voters can vote early by contacting their County Recorder with their preferred party ballot by August 19th (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

ID at the Polls

After arriving at your polling location on Election day you will present one form of identification from List #1 or two different forms of identification from List #2 or #3.

LIST #1 - SUFFICIENT PHOTO ID INCLUDING NAME AND ADDRESS (ONE REQUIRED)
Valid Arizona driver license
Valid Arizona non-operating identification card
Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
Valid United States federal, state, or local government issued identification
LIST #2 - SUFFICIENT ID WITHOUT A PHOTOGRAPH THAT BEAR THE NAME AND ADDRESS (TWO REQUIRED)
Utility bill of the elector that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election. A utility bill may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cellular phone, or cable television
Bank or credit union statement that is dated within 90 days of the date of the election
Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration
Indian census card
Property tax statement of the elector's residence
Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
Arizona vehicle insurance card
Recorder's Certificate
Valid United States federal, state, or local government issued identification, including a voter registration card issued by the County Recorder
Any mailing to the elector marked “Official Election Material”
LIST #3 - MIX AND MATCH FROM LISTS #1 AND #2 (TWO REQUIRED)
U.S. Passport without address and one valid item from List 2
U.S. Military identification without address and one valid item from List 2
Any valid photo identification from List 1 in which the address does not reasonably match the precinct register accompanied by a non-photo identification from List 2 in which the address does reasonably match the precinct register

VOTER EDUCATION TOOLS

Debates
Attend a debate or watch online.

Mobile App
Voter education at your fingertips

Voter Education Guide
View statements & contact information from the candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN ARE THE POLLS OPEN?
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place.

CAN I VOTE EARLY IN THE PRIMARY?
Absolutely. If you are registered with a political party and on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL), you will automatically receive a ballot in your mailbox beginning August 3, 2016. Independent voters, that are on PEVL, must contact their County Recorder to designate which partisan ballot* they would like to receive. Voters not on PEVL may make a one-time early ballot request or sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List, by contacting their County Recorder's Office. Local, non-partisan ballots may be available. Check with your County Recorder's Office.

KEY DATES
Voter Registration Deadline:
Monday, August 1, 2016

Early Voting Begins:
Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Last Day to Request an Early Ballot by mail:
Friday, August 19, 2016 at 5pm

Mail in Your Early Ballot:
By Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Election Day:
Tuesday, August 30, 2016

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 Corporation Commission and the State Legislature. Voter Education Guides will be received in home before early voting begins (August 3, 2016). You can download the guide HERE.

CAN INDEPENDENT VOTERS VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION?
Yes. Arizona has an Open Primary and voters that are not registered with a recognized political party (Independents) are able to request a partisan ballot. Who gets which ballot in a primary election? Democratic Voter → Democratic Party Ballot Green Voter → Green Party Ballot Libertarian Voter → Libertarian Party Ballot Republican Voter → Republican Party Ballot Independent Voter → Democratic OR Green OR Republican Party Ballot (may only choose one)1, 2, 3 1 The Libertarian Party has a closed primary. 2 Independent voters who vote by mail must contact their County Recorder to designate which partisan ballot they want mailed to them. 3 Local, non-partisan ballots may be available. Check with your County Recorder.

HOW DO I FIND INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES?
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission will mail a Voter Education Guide to every household with a registered voter (to be received no later October 12th). The Guide contains information for candidates running for Corporation Commission and the State Legislature. To download the guide, click HERE. To find information on federal candidates, such as President and U.S. Senator, and local candidates, click HERE.

CAN MILITARY & OVERSEAS VOTERS RECEIVE 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. For more information, UOCAVA voters should visit: the Secretary of State's Website or the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).