2018 Primary Election - Yuma County

Learn about the August 28th Primary Election in Yuma County.

Image of Ballot Box with American Flags


Important Dates


  • Voter registration deadline*Monday
    July30
  • Early voting beginsWednesday
    August 1
  • Last day to request a ballot by mail**Friday
    August17
  • Mail in your early ballot byWednesday
    August22
  • Last day to vote early in personFriday
    August24
  • Election DayTuesday
    August28

*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

Early voting begins on August 1st, 2018. Voters are able to vote by mail or visit an on-site early voting location. The Yuma County Recorder's Office will be serving as an early voting site and is located at 197 South Main Street, 1st Floor, Yuma AZ, 85364. Contact your county recorder, contact information below, to request a ballot by mail.

Voting on Election Day

Yuma County utilizes vote centers. Vote Centers are voting locations available on Election Day in certain counties. Vote Centers are different than polling places in that any eligible voter can visit a vote center in their county and receive and cast their ballot. Yuma County has established the following vote center locations:

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Center - 300 S. 13th Avenue - Yuma
  • Yuma County Health Dept. - 2200 W. 28th Street - Yuma
  • Yuma Civic Center -1440 W. Desert Hills Drive - Yuma
  • Community Christian Church - 6480 E. Highway 95 - Yuma
  • St. John Neumann Catholic Church - 11545 E. 40th Street - Yuma
  • First Southern Baptist Church of Wellton - 11711 Williams Street - Wellton
  • Somerton Library - 240 Canal Street - Somerton
  • Cesar Chavez Cultural Center - 1015 N. Main Street - San Luis
  • San Luis City Hall - 1090 E. Union Street - San Luis
  • Vote Centers Open at 6:00 a.m. and Close 7:00 p.m.
  • Vote Centers may choose any one of the following locations to cast their ballot.


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?
  • YUMA COUNTY

    Contact Information

    Voter Services Coordinator
    Joann Munoz
    102 S. Main Street
    Yuma, AZ 85364
    928-373-6034
    T.D.D. 928-373-6033
    [email protected]

    Go to Website

    County Recorder
    Richard Colwell
    102 S. Main Street
    Yuma, AZ 85364
    928-373-6020
    T.D.D. 928-373-6033
    [email protected]

    Go to Website


    County Election Director
    Kika Guzman
    102 S. Main Street
    Yuma, AZ 85364
    928-373-1014
    T.D.D. 928-373-6033
    [email protected]

    Go to Website


    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.