Elections

How to track your early ballot in Arizona

Once Arizona voters fill out an early ballot and cast their vote, they can easily track their ballot as it gets collected, verified, and counted.

post office worker taking mail out of mailbox
You can sign up to receive text alerts in Maricopa County that let you know when your ballot has been picked up and received. (Shutterstock/Jillian Cain Photography)

Here’s all you need to know to make sure your ballot is counted. 

It can be tough for voters to let go of an early ballot into the mail or a drop box. Once it’s out in the void, how do they know it makes it to the county recorder in time to be counted? 

Luckily, Arizona provides ways to make sure ballots are on track. 

The Secretary of State’s Office website offers a way for voters to check the status of their mailed ballots. After entering some personal information, the site can tell a voter if their ballot is in the mail, returned to the office, and accepted for counting. 

Some of the state’s counties—Maricopa, Navajo, and Pima—also offer their own ballot tracking services. 

Example from the Maricopa County ballot tracker

In addition, Maricopa County allows voters to sign up for text and email alerts with voting deadlines and the progress of their ballots. 

 

What else to know

Arizona voters have until Oct. 7 to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election. Voters can check their status and update the address and other information listed on their registration here

Oct. 25 is the last day to join the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) or request a one-time mailed ballot. 

The last recommended day to mail back a ballot in Arizona is Oct. 29, although the earlier the better. 

RELATED: The dos and don’ts of mail-in voting in Arizona

If a voter still has their ballot after that day, they can return it at any voting center or ballot drop box. Locations are listed here. Voters turning in a ballot can skip the line for in-person voting to drop off their ballot.

Early in-person voting will be available in Arizona from Oct. 9 through Nov. 1.

Voting centers will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. As long as a voter is in line by 7 p.m., they will be allowed to vote.

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.