Arizona election officials update response to COVID-19

PHOENIX – As part of ongoing efforts to protect the safety of Arizonans and preserve the integrity of the Presidential Preference Election, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs has provided additional guidance to counties as a result of new developments in the state response to COVID-19.

According to health experts and the governor’s recent executive order, Arizona’s elderly population and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

“We have about 20 voting sites statewide that are in facilities that may be frequented by seniors,” Hobbs said.

In addition to the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health Services that counties are already implementing for all polling places, the Secretary of State’s Office today recommended the following additional precautions for voting locations at senior centers and other facilities frequented by seniors:

• Ensure the availability of clear signage for curbside voting for those who need it;
• Advise the facility to get the message out to vulnerable populations that they should avoid the crowds on Election Day unless they are voting, and to take heightened precautions in any case;
• Advise the facility to complete a full cleaning and disinfecting of the spaces used once the polling sites are closed down, according to DHS recommendations.

“We are encouraging these additional precautions for certain voting locations. We also want to remind voters to make a plan for participating in this election,” Hobbs said. “Today is the last day we recommend people mail back their early ballots, and there are still several other early voting options available for those who want to avoid potential crowds on Election Day.”

In-person early voting is available through March 13, 2020, and voters can contact their county election officials to learn about options for emergency voting and special election boards. The Secretary of State’s recommendations to voters in light of COVID-19 can be found at Arizona.Vote and will be updated based on any new developments. Voters should direct further questions to election officials, the trusted sources for election information. Contact information for the Secretary of State’s Office and local election officials can be found here: http://go.azsos.gov/lndl.

The 2020 Presidential Preference Election is on March 17 and only the Democratic Party is participating. Voters registered as Democrats on or before Feb. 18, 2020 are eligible to cast a ballot in this election.

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