Voting by Mail: How to Get a Ballot-by-Mail
Arizona has a proud history of secure and reliable voting by mail. Most Arizonans already vote by mail, allowing them to fill out their ballot from the comfort of their home and then mail it back or drop it off at any drop-box or voting location in their county. Due to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended early voting and voting by mail when possible.
There are two ways to get a ballot-by-mail: (1) join the Permanent Early Voting List; or (2) make a one-time request for a ballot-by-mail. Follow the simple steps below to get your ballot-by-mail and ensure you have a safe, secure, and reliable option for voting in this year’s elections.
Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL)
Voters on the PEVL are automatically sent a ballot-by-mail for all elections in which they are eligible to vote.
Check to see if you’re already on the PEVL
Online registration requires an AZ Driver’s License or Non-Operating ID number. By clicking the link above, you can register to vote or update your voter registration and select the PEVL option at the end.
Print*, complete, and sign the PEVL request form (PDF). Mail, fax, or email a scanned copy or photo of the completed form to your County Recorder’s Office.
* If you do not have a printer, write out all the required information from the request form, sign the form, then mail, fax, or email a scanned copy or photo of your handwritten request to your County Recorder’s Office.
There is no deadline to join the PEVL. However, to get a ballot-by-mail for an upcoming election, you must sign up at least 11 days before Election Day. You must sign up by:
- July 24 at 5:00 p.m. to get a ballot-by-mail for the August 4, 2020 Primary Election
- October 23 at 5:00 p.m. to get a ballot-by-mail for the November 3, 2020 General Election
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Request a One-Time Ballot-by-Mail
If you do not want to sign up for the PEVL, you can request a ballot-by-mail just for the 2020 elections. You can make a request for a ballot-by-mail for both the August 4, 2020 Primary Election and November 3, 2020 General Election at one time. Voters who use this option will not be added to the PEVL.
Use the Secretary of State’s online portal to request a ballot-by-mail for the 2020 Primary and/or General Election.
You can call your County Recorder to request a ballot-by-mail for the 2020 Primary and/or General Elections. You must provide your name, date of birth, residence address, and other identifying information.
Print*, complete, and sign the ballot-by-mail request form (PDF). Mail, fax, or email a scanned copy or photo of the completed form to your County Recorder’s Office.
* If you do not have a printer, write out all the required information from the request form, sign the form, then mail, fax, or email a scanned copy or photo of your handwritten request to your County Recorder’s Office.
You can also email your County Recorder with the following information
- First and Last Name
- Date of Birth
- Residence Address
- Mailing Address (where you want the ballot sent, if different from Residence Address)
- State or Country of Birth, or another piece of information that, if compared to your voter record, would confirm your identity (e.g. Arizona Driver’s License #, last 4 digits of Social Security number, father’s name, or mother’s maiden name)
- Primary Election Ballot Choice (if registered as No Party Designated/Independent)
- Voters registered with no political party must choose which ballot they would like for the Primary Election: Republican, Democrat, Green (only available for Pima County voters) or Nonpartisan (only includes nonpartisan, municipal races in cities/towns holding elections on August 4, 2020)
- Write the following message: "I am requesting a ballot-by-mail for the 2020 Primary and General Elections and am giving the County Recorder permission to mail my ballot to the address provided in this email."
Primary and General Election ballots can be requested at the same time, or separately. The County Recorder’s Office must receive your request by:
- July 24 at 5:00 p.m. to get a ballot-by-mail for the August 4, 2020 Primary Election or both the August 4, 2020 Primary and November 3, 2020 General Elections
- October 23 at 5:00 p.m. to get a ballot-by-mail for the November 3, 2020 General Election
Important Dates
| Primary Election | |
|---|---|
| First day to request a one-time ballot-by-mail for the Primary Election only or both the Primary and General Election | May 03, 2020 |
| First day for counties to mail ballots to voters (and first day of in-person early voting) | July 08, 2020 |
| Last day to request a ballot-by-mail or sign up for PEVL | July 24, 2020 |
| Recommended deadline to mail back your ballot-by-mail | July 29, 2020 |
| Election Day | August 4, 2020
All ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m.
|
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| Primary Election | |
|---|---|
| First day to request a one-time ballot-by-mail for the Primary Election only or both the Primary and General Election | May 03, 2020 |
| First day for counties to mail ballots to voters (and first day of in-person early voting) | July 08, 2020 |
| Last day to request a ballot-by-mail or sign up for PEVL | July 24, 2020 |
| Recommended deadline to mail back your ballot-by-mail | July 29, 2020 |
| Election Day | August 4, 2020
All ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m.
|
| General Election | |
|---|---|
| First day to request a one-time ballot-by-mail for the General Election only | August 02, 2020 |
| Voter Registration Deadline | October 05, 2020 |
| First day for counties to mail ballots to voters (and first day of in-person early voting) | October 07, 2020 |
| Last day to request a ballot-by-mail or sign up for PEVL | October 23, 2020 |
| Recommended deadline to mail back your ballot-by-mail | October 28, 2020 |
| Election Day | November 3, 2020
All ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m.
|
There is no deadline to join the PEVL. However, if you want to get your ballot-by-mail for an upcoming election, you must sign up at least 11 days before Election Day.
Voters Not Registered with a Political Party (Independent Voters)
Independent voters must notify their County Recorder’s Office which primary election they wish to participate in to receive a ballot-by-mail. Independent voters may request to receive a Republican, Democratic, or Municipal Only ballot for the August 4 Primary Election. The Municipal Only ballot is only available in cities or towns with nonpartisan municipal races in August. Voters may indicate their ballot selection in one of four ways:
- By Mail: Independent voters on the PEVL will receive a notice in the mail from their County Recorder. You may return that notice with you choice of ballot selected.
- By Phone: You may call your County Recorder’s office to indicate your ballot selection for the Primary Election.
- Online: You may use My.Arizona.Vote and select the Request a Ballot by Mail button. Follow the steps to the end to complete the request.
- In-Person: If you fail to request a ballot by July 24 you may visit a voting location on or before election day and vote in-person.
Returning your Ballot by Mail
Your ballot by mail must be received by the County Elections Department by 7:00pm on Election Day. You have two options for returning your ballot by mail:
- Mail your ballot back: Use the pre-paid envelope included in your ballot package. We recommend mailing it by the Wednesday (6 days) before Election Day to ensure it reaches your Election Department on time.
- Drop off your ballot: You may drop off your ballot at any voting location or drop box in your county on or before Election Day. Visit My.Arizona.Vote to find a voting location near you.
Track you Ballot
You may track the status of your ballot by mail at My.Arizona.Vote to ensure it was received and counted.
Voters in Maricopa County can received automatic updates on their ballot status via text. Text the word "JOIN" to 628-683 or visit TextSignUp.Maricopa.Vote to subscribe.
Lost or Damaged Ballots
If you have lost or damaged your ballot you may request a replacement ballot.
To request a replacement ballot by mail, contact your County Recorder’s Office directly. Requests for the Primary Election must be made by July 24 and requests for the General Election must be made by October 23.
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.
Out of Town during an Election
Official Election Mail cannot be forwarded automatically by the postal service. If you will be out of town during the election, you may choose to have your ballot sent to your temporary address. You may fill out the Early Ballot Request Online through My.Arizona.Vote or contact your County Recorder directly to make this request. Find your County Recorder’s contact information here.
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FAQs about Voting by Mail
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Have questions? Call 1-877-THE-VOTE or email [email protected].
- Registered voters have two options to receive a ballot-by-mail. You can sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) to automatically get a ballot-by-mail for every election you are eligible for or you can make a one-time request for a ballot-by-mail for a specific election (or for a Primary and General Election together). Above, you can find information on how to sign up for PEVL or request a ballot-by-mail for an upcoming election.
- Arizona has a long history of secure and reliable voting by mail. Over 70% (fact check) of Arizona voters are on the PEVL. In the 2018 General Election, X% (around 75%) of votes were cast early by mail or at an early voting location. Above, you can find information on how to sign up for PEVL or request a ballot-by-mail for an upcoming election.
