Political Party Affiliation

Voting in Partisan Primary Elections

Arizona's open primary law allows any voter who is registered as "independent" or "party not designated" to cast a ballot for one of the officially recognized political parties in State Primary Elections. See AZ. Const. Art. 7 § 10.

Independent/party not designated voters on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) will receive a notice in the mail asking them to choose which party ballot they wish to receive for the Primary Election. A.R.S. § 16-544(D). If the voter requests a party ballot by the deadline, then the corresponding primary ballot will then be sent by mail to the voter to complete approximately 27 days prior to the election. A.R.S. §§ 16-542(C); 16-545(B)(1); 16-544(F).

Independent/party not designated voters who go to the polls for the Primary Election must choose a party ballot at that time if they want to vote for a partisan race.

During some Primary Elections, municipal elections will also be occurring. Independent/party not designated voters may choose a municipal only ballot. This ballot will have no Primary Elections on it, only the non-partisan municipal items.

Note: This DOES NOT apply to the Presidential Preference Election. Voters must be registered with a recognized party to vote in the Presidential Preference Election. A.R.S. § 16-242(C).