FAQ
General
What time do the polls open and close?
Polling locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Is photography allowed in the polling place?
No, it is a class 2 misdemeanor to take photographs or videos while within the seventy-five-foot limit of a polling place.
What are the hours and locations available for early in-person voting?
A voter may request a ballot-by-mail between 93 and 11 days before the election. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-542(A),(E))
What are the voter ID requirements?
Every voter is required to show proof of identity when voting in person. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §16-579)
Election Observers
What is an observer?
Observers are people who want to exercise their right to participate in watching the processes taking place during early in-person voting, at a residential facility, at a polling location, at a central count facility or a polling place on Election Day.
Why should you observe?
Observers are an essential part of Arizona's elections process.
Who can be an observer?
Appointed political party observers must be Arizona residents and registered to vote in Arizona (except for student poll workers). Except for precinct committeeman candidates, candidates appearing on the ballot or official write-in candidates shall not serve as political party observers. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§16-590, 16-515)
Where can I observe?
Political party observers may be appointed to specific voting locations (for Election Day observation), to a central counting place, or to multiple voting locations as authorized by the political party chairperson and the officer in charge of elections. Observers appointed to observe in multiple locations need only one appointment in writing designating the various locations where the observer is appointed. An appointment is not transferable to another individual.
Do you have to be registered in Arizona to observe?
Yes
Can you observe in a County or Municipality other than where you vote?
Yes, appointed political party observers need not be qualified electors in the precinct or county of observation.
Where will you be observing?
Political party observers observe inside the 75-foot limit at each voting location. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§16-590 (C).)
What if I am unable to hear from where the designated area of observation is?
If observers are unable to hear the election processes, they may ask for the information to be repeated. If they are still unable to hear, they should contact the election official in charge to ask to be moved closer.
Do I have to notify anyone before I arrive at a clerk’s office, polling location, or central count facility to observe?
The County Recorder or officer in charge of elections may require reasonable deadlines for advance notice of appointments.
What should I bring with me to observe?
Present an original copy of credentials to the Inspector of the Election Board upon arrival.
How do you tell observers apart from poll workers?
At a central counting place, the County Recorder or other officer in charge of elections may ensure that observers are given identifying badges to ensure that observers are clearly identifiable.
Is there a list of Rules for Observers?
The County Recorder or other officer in charge of elections may develop additional local procedures to allow political party observers the opportunity to effectively observe the election process.
How do I get trained?
Once you sign up, you will receive additional information on training resources.
Poll Workers
What is a poll worker?
A poll worker is a citizen that works for the county either on Election Day at the polls, or as a board worker directly at the tabulation center during the counting process. Arizona utilizes four types of poll workers for each precinct: one inspector, one marshal, two judges, and as many clerks of election as it deems necessary — collectively referred to as the “election board.” (A.R.S. § 16-531)
Who can be a poll worker?
To serve as a poll worker, you must be a registered voter (students 16+ years old can participate with parental permission), attend the required training and meetings, and agree to serve voters at polling locations impartially, safely, and efficiently.
What are parity rules in Arizona?
If it is impossible to sufficiently staff the boards with members of different political parties, the officer in charge of elections shall, at minimum, exercise best efforts to utilize board members with no party affiliation or affiliated with unrecognized political parties to ensure that there is a diversity of political party affiliation (including no affiliation) on the boards and that no board is comprised of members of only one party. At minimum, for partisan elections, if the inspector is a member of one of the two largest political parties, the marshal must be a member of the other of the two largest political parties and each of the two judges must be registered with different political parties. An inspector, marshal, or judge may not serve in that position if they have changed their political party registration since the last general election.
What if not enough poll workers from one of the major political parties are available for the election?
Unaffiliated poll workers will fill in any gaps.
How do you become a poll worker?
At least 90 days before an election, the county chairpersons of the two largest political parties may designate qualified electors to serve on election boards. When the list is timely submitted, it shall be used to appoint judges. Whenever possible, any person appointed as an inspector shall have had previous experience as an inspector, judge, marshal, or clerk of elections. If there is no qualified person in a given precinct, the appointment of an inspector may be made from names designated by the county party chairperson. Any registered voter in the precinct, or alternatively, in another precinct, may be appointed as a clerk. A.R.S. § 16-531(A).65
How do you tell observers apart from poll workers?
At a central counting place, the County Recorder or other officer in charge of elections may ensure that observers are given identifying badges to ensure that observers are clearly identifiable.
Are poll workers paid?
Yes! Poll workers receive payment for their services, including training. Pay can vary by the county and by the type of poll worker (such as premium poll workers). Poll workers must be paid at least $30 per day (A.R.S. § 16-536). The Board of Supervisors may approve additional compensation for premium board workers (A.R.S. § 16-532(D)).
Where will I be working?
You will be assigned to a polling place based on where there are critical shortages of workers.
What will I be doing on Election Day?
Poll worker responsibilities can include setting up the polling place, setting up election equipment (including accessible voting equipment) checking in voters, printing ballots, assisting voters, close out procedures and more.
How many people will be working with me?
It depends on the size of the polling location, how many people have signed up, and how many electors or ballots are expected to be processed/served.
How do I get trained?
Once you sign up, you will receive additional information on training resources.