Vote By Mail
Voting by mail is a safe and secure process that's easy for you, the voter. Learn how to get on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) for all eligible elections or request a ballot by mail for a specific election.
Voting by mail is a safe and secure process that's easy for you, the voter. Learn how to get on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) for all eligible elections or request a ballot by mail for a specific election.
Ballot by mail has been available in Arizona for over two decades. In the 2020 General Election, approximately 89% of ballots cast were early ballots. As the majority of Arizona voters already choose this method to vote, the infrastructure and security measures are well in place to ensure ballots are safe and secure.
Arizona has an Active Early Voting List (AEVL, and formerly the Permanent Early Voting List (see SB1485, 55th Legislature)). AEVL allows a voter to sign up for a mail ballot to automatically be mailed to them for every election they are eligible to vote in. Voters may also make a one time request for a ballot to be mailed to them. Early voting begins 27 days before the election, so voters can expect to receive their ballot in the mail shortly after.
1. Arizona law allows voters options on how to return their voted ballot, outside of mailing it through USPS. You can return your voted ballot by:
2. If you wish to return your ballot through USPS, it is recommended that you return it as soon as possible. The latest date recommended to mail back your ballot is 7 days before the election. Postage is prepaid and does not require a stamp.
3. Clean Elections does not recommend using private carriers to return your voted ballot if you are in state. Voters that are temporarily out of state and not a uniformed or overseas (UOCAVA) voter, should contact their county recorder with questions about using a private carrier to return their voted ballot.
4. UOCAVA voters have the option to receive and return their voted ballot electronically. Click here for more information.
5. If you are unable to mail your voted ballot back 7 days before the election, it is recommended that you drop it off at a polling place or at a ballot box.
6. Track your ballot. Voters can look up the status of their ballot online to confirm if it was received and counted. Maricopa County voters can sign up for text and email notifications.
7. Ballots are non-forwardable. Voters that will be out of town or away from their residence should contact their county recorder immediately so they can mail their ballot to their temporary mailing address.
8. ALL VOTED BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 7PM ON ELECTION DAY.
Please visit the United States Postal Service's newly launched website about election mail to learn more.
Step 1. Request your early ballot (either one time request or sign up for AEVL).
Step 2. Retrieve your ballot from your mailbox.
Step 3. Vote your ballot.
Step 4. Place your voted ballot inside the early ballot affidavit envelope.
Step 5. SIGN the early ballot affidavit envelope. Your ballot will not be counted unless you do this step.
Step 6. Seal your ballot and return it (see below).
Step 7.Verify your ballot was received and counted (see below).
However you decide to return your early ballot, all ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
You should always plan to mail back your ballot at least 7 days prior to election day, to ensure it is received by the county in time. The United States Post Office recommends 7 days for returning ballots by mail, which is first class mail. Postage is pre-paid so all you have to do is drop your signed and sealed ballot envelope in the mail.
Drop it Off:If you don’t have enough time to mail your ballot back or prefer to return it in person, you have several options:
However you decide to return your ballot, just remember to SIGN IT and that the county RECEIVES it by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
A ballot drop box is a secured bin provided by County Election Officials where voters can return their voted ballot. They are located in a secure location, such as inside or in front of a federal, state, local, or tribal government building. The Election Procedures Manual details the security measures required for ballot drop boxes. Click here to read more (page 60 of the manual).
Ballots must be dropped off at a location within a voter's registered county!
The infrastructure of the voting by mail system is already well established in Arizona. Approximately 80% of Arizona voters chose to vote by mail.
It’s important to note that a voter’s identity is confirmed before their ballot is counted, whether it’s an early ballot or a ballot cast at the polls. When you vote by mail, your signature on the early ballot affidavit is compared to the signature on file with your voter registration record. Voters must sign this envelope in order for their ballot to be counted. County election staff receive professional training to verify the signature on the affidavit envelope matches the signature on the voters' registration record. This is done to ensure the integrity of the early voting process.
If the signature is a match, the ballot proceeds to the Citizens Boards who then prepare the unopened ballots for tabulation. The Citizens Boards are made up of two board members of different political party affiliations. They confirm that the County Recorder verified the voter’s signature and then they remove the ballot from the envelope, taking special care to ensure the privacy of the voters' ballot. The ballots are then transmitted to the tabulation room.
If the county is unable to verify the signature, the county will attempt to contact the voter. Voters have until 5:00 p.m. on the 5th business day after the primary or general election to confirm/correct their signature.
Voters can verify their ballot was counted at arizona.vote.
Maricopa County voters can track their ballot here: https://recorder.maricopa.gov/Elections/BeBallotReady/ and sign up for text and email alerts of their ballot status at: https://recorder.maricopa.gov/subscriptions/
Navajo county voters can track their ballot here: https://navajocountyvotes.ballottrax.net/voter/
Pima county voters can track their ballot here: https://www.recorder.pima.gov/VoterStats/BallotInfo