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Candidate Legal Challenges

A candidate's nomination may be challenged pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-351.

If nomination petition signatures are challenged, County Recorders are responsible for reviewing the challenged signatures. The Secretary of State's Office provides a Petition Verification Guide to help ensure consistency across the county review process. Please contact the county if you have additional questions on what they review.

  Current Challenges & Withdrawals
  2026 Challenges & Withdrawals

The deadline to file a legal challenge is April 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Below is a list of lawsuits filed against federal, statewide, and legislative candidates during the 2026 challenge period as well as any candidates who have officially withdrawn:

Last Name First Name Race Date of Notification
BrachtBlakeCD52026 Apr 07
HolmesJamesLD232026 Apr 07
AjluniChristopherCD12026 Apr 08
MartinesJessieCD82026 Apr 09
LaraKeithLD252026 Apr 09
ZepedaMichaelTreasurer2026 Apr 10
RedkeyDavidCD12026 Apr 13
DeSantiNeilLD22026 Apr 13
DescheenieEricCD22026 Apr 15
WeintraubVictorCD12026 Apr 15
MarshallDavidCorp Comm2026 Apr 20
GordonMark RobertCD12026 May 06
Filing Date Race Case Name Case # Outcome
2026 Mar 04LD7Slaton v. BlackmanCV2026-012412Dismissed
2026 Apr 03LD30Esposito v. RoseCV2026-014206On Ballot
2026 Apr 06CD1Mrowiec v. Ajluni (consol. with McAdams v. Ajluni)CV2026-014447Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06CD1Fritz v. WeintraubCV2026-014430Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06CD1McAdams v. Ajluni (consol. with Mrowiec v. Ajluni)CV2026-014427Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06CD1McAdams v. RedkeyCV2026-014423Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06CD2Berg v. DescheenieCV2026-014432Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06CD4Darby v. DavisonCV2026-014292Removed
2026 Apr 06CD5Kaupke v. BrachtCV2026-014420Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06CD6Gallagher v. BahCV2026-014433Off Ballot 5-6-26 Pending appeal?
2026 Apr 06CD8Thaler v. MartinesCV2026-014410Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06GovernorHourihan v. Lytle (consol. with Beckman v. Lytle)CV2026- 014149On Ballot
2026 Apr 06GovernorHourihan v. Lombardo (consol. With Beckman v. Lombardo)CV2026-014153On Ballot
2026 Apr 06GovernorBeckman v. Lytle (consol. with Hourihan v. Lytle)CV2026-014350On Ballot
2026 Apr 06GovernorBeckman v. Lombardo (consol. with HourihanCV2026-014360On Ballot
2026 Apr 06LD19Ilhy v. SlawsonCV2026-014396Removed
2026 Apr 06LD2Kenney v. DeSantiCV2026-014398Removed / Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06LD23Lombardo v. HolmesCV2026-014401Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06LD23Jonessee v. FernandezCV2026-014279On Ballot
2026 Apr 06LD24Nnoli v. CantuCV2026-014445On Ballot
2026 Apr 06SuperintendentWinters v. ButtsCV2026-014345Removed
2026 Apr 06TreasurerMcAdams v. ZepedaCV2026-014426Withdrawal
2026 Apr 06TreasurerCaldwell v. HaleyCV2026-014439Dismissed
2026 Apr 06TreasurerWilson v. ZepedaCV2026-014386Withdrawal
2026 Apr 07LD20Perez v. Hernandez, AlmaCV2026-2698On Ballot
2026 Apr 07LD20Burruel v. Hernandez, AlmaCV2026-2699On Ballot
2026 Apr 07LD21Chalberg v. Hernandez, ConsueloCV2026-2701On Ballot

* Note: 2026 Election Challenge cases filed in Maricopa Superior Court as of 4/6/2026. Process service of some complaints may be pending the the Secretary of State's Office.

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The deadline to file a legal challenge was April 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Below is a list of lawsuits filed against federal, statewide, and legislative candidates during the 2024 challenge period as well as any candidates who officially withdrew:

Last Name First Name Race Date of Notification
MartinMichelleCD 1Apr 10, 2024
EatonMichaelLD 9Apr 10, 2024
SiatoMarkCD 6Apr 11, 2024
HernandezMelodyLD 8Apr 12, 2024
DesantiNeilLD 2Apr 16, 2024
MaddenNathanLD 25Apr 16, 2024
SaulsberryShanteLD 13Apr 17, 2023
WelchMattLD 18Apr 17, 2023
SmithAustinLD 29Apr 18, 2023
ChristyKellyCorp CommApr 23, 2024
CastCliffordCD 6
Filing Date Race Case Name Case # Outcome Result
Apr 10, 2024LD 9 HouseMasters v. EatonCV2024-008251Candidate withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 12, 2024LD 8 SenateAlger v. HernandezCV2024-008499Candidate withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 12, 2024LD 13 HouseFeely v. SaulsberryCV2024-008568Candidate withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 12, 2024LD 18 SenateSundareshan v. WelchCV2024-008577Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 12, 2024LD 25 SenateWilkinson v. WillisCV2024-008589Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 2 HouseLanday v. DeSantiCV2024-008647Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 11 HouseOrona v. ButtsCV2024-008652AZSC Affirmed
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 2 SenateLanday v. BarnettCV2024-008658Dismissed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 10 HouseRowland v. HeapCV2024-008663Dismissed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024CD 3 HouseBusch v. MendozaCV2024-008680Dismissed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 4 HouseBusch v. ButlerCV2024-008681Dismissed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 25 HouseBusch v. MaddenCV2024-008684Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024CD 1 HouseBackie v. GeorgeCV2024-008687AZSC Affirmed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 11 HousePerez v. RuizCV2024-008686Dismissed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 7 SenateRogers v. CookCV2024-008715AZSC Affirmed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024Corp CommMontague v. KellyCV2024-008718Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024US SenateBreckling v. HernandezCV2024-008720AZSC Affirmed
On Ballot
Apr 15, 2024CD 8 HousePearsall v. BilyieuCV2024-008725Court found Candidate not qualified for ballot
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024CD 6 HouseFairman v. CastCV2024-002332Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024LD 29 HouseAshurst v. SmithCV2024-008743Candidate Withdrew
Off Ballot
Apr 15, 2024CD1 HouseLerman, Butkiewicz, Johnston v. Galan-WoodsCV2024-008739Dismissed
On Ballot
Race Case Name Case # Challenged Outcome
Secretary of State (REP)Hansen v. FinchemCV2022-004321
Maricopa		No Signatures ChallengedCase Dismissed (Affirmed)
Congress D5 (REP)Goode v. BiggsCV2022-004327
Maricopa		No Signatures ChallengedCase Dismissed (Affirmed)
Congress D9 (REP)Costello v. GosarCV2022-004325
Maricopa		No Signatures ChallengedCase Dismissed (Affirmed)
State House D16 (REP)Myers v. BiggsCV2022-004794
Maricopa		272 Challenged
(668 Submitted)		Candidate Withdrawn
State House D23 (REP)Wolff v. PembletonCV2022-004800
Maricopa		140 Challenged
(415 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot (Appeal Dismissed)
State Senate D8 (REP)Wakely v. HowardCV2022-004817
Maricopa		443 Challenged
(767 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot (Affirmed)
Congress D9 (REP)Gosar v. DowlingCV2022-004822
Maricopa		1,335 Challenged
(2,294 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
Congress D9 (REP)Gosar v. KutzCV2022-004819
Maricopa		825 Challenged
(2,004 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
State House D2 (REP)Fremouw v. DeSantiCV2022-004838
Maricopa		156 Challenged
(453 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot
Congress D1 (DEM)McAdams v. Sykes TorresCV2022-004832
Maricopa		1,419 Challenged
(2,542 Submitted)		Candidate Withdrawn
State House D27 (REP)Howard v. GriffinCV2022-004844
Maricopa		52 Challenged
(318 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
Governor (DEM)Franklin v. LiebermanCV2022-004828
Maricopa		3,082 Challenged
(9,842 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
State Senate D16 (REP)Martinez v. WoodCV2022-004883
Maricopa		486 Challenged
(875 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot (Affirmed)
State House D23 (DEM)Busch v. LugoCV2022-004803
Maricopa		1,419 Challenged
(1,475 Submitted)		Sufficient Signatures
State House D2 (REP)Busch v. RamseyCV2022-004806
Maricopa		69 Challenged
(363 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot
Congress D3 (REP)Busch v. BeckerCV2022-004804
Maricopa		324 Challenged
(1,041 Submitted)		Sufficient Signatures
State House D2 (REP)Fremouw v. RamseyCV2022-004843
Maricopa		110 Challenged
(363 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot
State House D20 (LBT)Villegas v. HardingCV2022-004841
Maricopa		267 Challenged
(338 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot
State House D26 (DEM)Ortega-Bravo v. HacohenCV2022-004867
Maricopa		331 Challenged
(798 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
Congress D4 (REP)Kasa v. LopezCV2022-004873
Maricopa		1,491 Challenged
(2,594 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
Congress D4 (REP)Kasa v. StovallCV2022-004876
Maricopa		1,332 Challenged
(2,049 Submitted)		Candidate Withdrawn
Congress D4 (REP)Kasa v. DavisonCV2022-004878
Maricopa		1,491 Challenged
(2,350 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
Congress D4 (REP)Kasa v. GilesCV2022-004882
Maricopa		1,112 Challenged
(2,576 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
State Rep D11 (DEM)Ross v. PearsonCV2022-004709
Maricopa		461 Challenged
(798 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot (Affirmed)
State Rep D11 (DEM)Ross v. LeasyCV2022-004710
Maricopa		279 Challenged
(584 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
State Senate D17 (REP)Wadsack v. BarrC20221453
Pima		545 Challenged
(730 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
State Senate D17 (REP)Wadsack v. LeachC20221455
Pima		772 Challenged
(1,238 Submitted)		Case Dismissed
State Senate D2 (DEM)Dybvig-Pawelko v. ThompsonCV2022-004720
Maricopa		344 Challenged
(456 Submitted)		Removed from Ballot
State House D27 (REP)Griffin v. TomaCV2022-004825
Maricopa		No Signatures ChallengedChallenge Unsucessful
State House D23 (DEM)Pembleton v. LugoCV2022-00215
Yuma		No Signatures ChallengedCase Dismissed
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Election Resources

Elections FAQ

An early ballot may be requested through our new Voter Information Portal or by contacting your County Recorder's office. To have your name placed on the Active Early Voter List (AEVL), complete a new voter registration form and check the box marked "YES, I want to automatically receive an early ballot for each election for which I am eligible." Or you can log in to AZMVDNow and complete this request online.

  • Online – If you have an Arizona Driver License and/or an Arizona non-operating I.D. card issued by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) you may register to vote through AZMVDNow EZ Voter Registration
    1. Log on to AZMVDNow
    2. Select your language preference, then click "Begin Voter Registration"
    3. Verify your voter eligibility
    4. Enter your information in the required fields
    5. Verify address information
    6. You can now select your party preference

    If you are having trouble logging in to the AZMVDNow website, you can print off a Voter Registration Form and fill it out with your new information. After you finish, mail the completed form to your County Recorder's office and your information will be updated.

    If you do not have a residence address, please also complete a 'No Residence Address Confirmation' in addition to the voter registration form.
  • By Mail – You can either print off a form online or request that a registration form be mailed to you from your County Recorder. After completing the voter registration form, mail it to your County Recorder's office
  • In-Person – You may visit your County Recorder's office and fill out a registration form in person
  • Address Confidentiality Program Members – You should only register to vote through the ACP process.

After you have successfully registered to vote you will receive a voter registration card in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

If you're a Maricopa County voter, visit locations.maricopa.vote to find a voting location. If you have any questions, please call 602-506-1511.

If you're a Pima County voter, visit pima.gov to find a voting location. If you have any questions, please call 520-724-4330.

If you are having issues searching your Residence Address please contact your local Election Official by visiting County Election Contact Info

 

The voter registration deadline for the General Election has been extended to 5 p.m. on October 15, 2020 by a court order. Check back here often for this and the other trusted information you need throughout the 2020 election season. All voter registration forms sent by U.S. mail must be received on or before the deadline. To see all voter registration deadlines, including for local elections. To see all voter registration deadlines, including for local elections, go to arizona.vote.

The deadline to update your voter registration or register to vote in an upcoming election is midnight on the 29th day before the election. For the 2020 State Primary Election, the deadline to register or update your registration is midnight on July 6, 2020. For the 2020 General Election, the deadline is midnight on October 5, 2020. To see all voter registration deadlines, including for local elections, go to arizona.vote. All voter registration forms sent by U.S. mail must be postmarked on or before the deadline.

Every qualified elector is required to show proof of identity at the polling place before receiving a ballot. Find out what qualifies as an acceptable form of identification in Arizona.

Yes! Arizona has an open primary law which allows any voter who is registered as independent to cast a ballot for one of the officially recognized political parties in State Primary Elections. Independent voters on the Permanent Early Voting List (AEVL) will receive a postcard in the mail asking them to choose which party ballot they wish to receive for the Primary Election. The corresponding primary ballot will then be sent by mail to the voter to complete approximately 27 days prior to the election. Independent voters who go to the polls on Election Day will be given the option to choose a party ballot at that time.

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.

The state of Arizona uses E-qual to verify that the person signing the qualifying slip or nomination petition is eligible to do so. After successful verification, the person can give $5 qualifying contribution slips or sign a nomination petition for candidates the person is eligible to vote for in the election.

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If you need assistance using azmvdnow.gov to register or update voter information, please see our AZMVDNow Guide or reach out to our office at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE.

You do not need postage if you mail your ballot back in Arizona.

All early ballots come with a postage-paid return envelope. There is no need to add postage. Voters should remember to sign and date the return envelope, and to include a phone number in case election officials need to follow up with you.

If you have lost or damaged your ballot-by-mail, you may request a replacement ballot via mail or in-person.

To request a replacement ballot-by-mail, contact your County Recorder's Office directly. Requests must be made no later than 11 days prior to Election Day. A.R.S. § 16-542(E).

You may also visit a voting location on or before Election Day to vote in-person. Visit my.arizona.vote to find your correct voting location.

The County will cancel your prior ballot if you request a replacement ballot.

No, Official Election Mail cannot be forwarded automatically by the postal service. If you will be out of town during the election, you may request to have your ballot sent to your temporary address. Contact your County Recorder directly to make this request.

Find your County Recorder's contact information

You may track the status of your ballot at my.arizona.vote to confirm that it was received and counted.

If you live in Pima County or Maricopa County, check with your county election officials for status updates.

If you have further questions, you can reach out to our office at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE.

You can also reach out to your county recorder's office (County Election Officials Contact Information) for further assistance.

Contact Elections

Office of the Secretary of State
Elections Division
1700 W Washington St Fl 7
Phoenix AZ 85007-2808

602-542-8683
1-877-THE VOTE

Email Elections

County Elections Contact Information

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