PHOENIX — Ballots for the August Primary Election started arriving over the weekend and, new this year, Maricopa County voters don't have to vote at a designated site. Instead, the County Recorder's Office is adding more locations to drop off your ballot than ever before.
Many places have been chosen strategically to be along bus routes, some will open nights and weekends, and the early voting window has been extended by two weeks.
There are close to 100 voting sites overall and more than 20 are retail centers including Chandler Fashion Center, Biltmore Fashion Square, Arrowhead Mall, Outlets at Anthem, Superstition Springs Center, San Tan Village Mall and the Phoenix Convention Center.
"Places we will be able to house plenty of voters, indoors, not outside in the heat in lines. Plenty of social distancing with robust choices for people to make, plenty of time ahead," said Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes. "I would argue we're going to have the single most accessible election in the history of Maricopa County."
Larger venues are also an effort to prevent the long voting lines and hours-long wait times seen in 2018.
Mailing in your ballot is still the preferable option.
If you chose to visit a polling location in person, masks and gloves will be provided for voters who don't have them. Volunteers will wear PPE and sanitize pens and voting booths after each use.
Four early voting centers are already open, and 50 more will open next Wednesday.
The last day to request a ballot by mail is July 24.
July 29 is the last day to mail in your ballot.
Election day is August 4.
