Elections

Maricopa County AZ elections bring a lot of moving parts together — registration deadlines, mail ballots, vote centers, ballot tracking, accessibility, and more. If you live in the county, it can be hard to keep track of what applies to you and what you actually need to do before Election Day. This guide walks you step by step through how Maricopa County elections work, how to make a plan to vote by mail or in person, how to get help if you need it, and where to find the official information that keeps you ballot ready all year long.

Understand how Maricopa County elections are run

Before you decide how and when to vote, it helps to know who does what behind the scenes.

Maricopa County elections are administered by Maricopa County Elections, with support from the Board of Supervisors and the County Recorder’s Office. Together they handle elections for:

Cities and towns
School districts
Special districts
Statewide offices
Federal offices

The responsibilities are divided so that critical tasks are clearly defined:

Board of Supervisors
Oversees in-person voting and vote centers
Manages candidate and campaign filings at the county level
Hires and trains election workers
Oversees the processing and tabulation of ballots

Recorder’s Office
Manages voter registration
Handles mail voting, including early ballots and voter lists

All of this is governed by state and federal law with detailed procedures for how ballots are issued, processed, and counted. When you understand the structure, it’s easier to trust that your ballot is being handled consistently and securely every time you vote.

Use the official Maricopa County Elections site as your home base

Anytime you’re unsure about election information, start with the official Maricopa County Elections website at Maricopa County Elections.

From there you can reach everything else you need:

Voter registration tools
Personalized voter information
Election dates and deadlines
Voting locations and ballot drop boxes
Mail ballot information
Official election results
Voter assistance and accessibility services

Because this is the county’s official election site, it’s the place to double-check anything you see on social media or elsewhere. If something doesn’t match what’s on the official site, rely on what the county publishes.

Get personalized information with the voter dashboard

Instead of guessing where to go or what’s on your ballot, you can pull up personalized details using the county’s secure voter dashboard at the BeBallotReady portal.

Visit the dashboard at the voter dashboard login page:
Sign in to your voter dashboard.

Once you’re signed in, you can:

Check your voter registration status
Confirm your party registration and address
See upcoming elections you’re eligible to vote in
View what’s on your ballot for city, town, school district, and other races
Find your voting locations and ballot drop boxes
Check your early ballot status during an election

The dashboard is also where you’ll see digital tools like a digital voter ID card and detailed election information tailored to your address, so it’s worth getting familiar with it even when there’s no election happening yet.

Check key election dates before you make a plan

Every election cycle comes with specific deadlines — and they’re not all the same. To avoid last-minute surprises, use the official elections calendar before you decide how to vote.

You can find official dates and deadlines at:
View the elections calendar.

On the calendar you’ll see:

Last day to register to vote for each election (typically 29 days before)
First and last days for early in-person voting
Dates when ballots are mailed for eligible voters
Last day to request a ballot by mail
Final dates for returning your mail ballot
Election Day itself for each jurisdictional, primary, or general election

The calendar is especially important because Maricopa County often has more than just the big statewide or federal elections. For example, jurisdictional elections for specific cities, school districts, or special districts may be conducted entirely by mail, with their own ballot mailing dates and deadlines.

If you live in an area holding a jurisdictional all-mail election, every eligible voter automatically receives a ballot at the address on file. The calendar will show when those ballots go out and by when they must be returned.

Register to vote or update your registration

You must be properly registered to participate in Maricopa County AZ elections. That includes both registering for the first time and updating your existing record when something changes.

You can start or update your registration using the county’s official tool:
Register to vote or update your voter registration.

Basic eligibility to register

Under Arizona law, to register to vote in Maricopa County you must:

Be a citizen of the United States
Be at least 18 years old on or before the date of the next general election
Have been a resident of Arizona for at least 29 days before the election
Not be convicted of a felony, unless your civil rights have been restored
Not be adjudicated as an incapacitated person, as defined by Arizona law

You also need to provide acceptable documentation that shows both citizenship and residence when you register. The county uses this to determine whether you are eligible for a full ballot or only a federal-only ballot (which includes just federal offices if citizenship documentation is missing).

When to update your voter registration

You should update your registration if:

You move within Maricopa County
You move into Maricopa County from another county
Your name changes
You want to change your party affiliation

You can submit changes online (if you qualify), use a paper form, or update at a voting location. It takes some time to process changes, so always check your status on the voter dashboard after you submit an update and before the registration deadline for the next election.

Choose how you want to participate: by mail or in person

Maricopa County gives voters flexible options to cast a ballot, and you can pick what works best for your schedule and needs.

Voting by mail in Maricopa County elections

Voting by mail has been available to Arizona voters for decades and is widely used across Maricopa County. You can get an early ballot for a single election or sign up to receive ballots automatically.

To start the process, visit the official page to request a mail ballot:
Request a mail ballot.

On this page you’ll find details for:

All-mail elections
For certain jurisdictional elections, every eligible registered voter automatically receives a ballot in the mail.
You can still choose how to return that ballot — by mail, at a drop box, or at a designated voting location.

Traditional countywide elections (Presidential Preference, Primary, General)
Only voters on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) automatically receive an early ballot by mail.
If you’re not on AEVL, you can make a one-time early ballot request for a specific election.

Temporary mailing address requests
If you’ll be away from home during an election, you can request that your ballot be mailed to a temporary address.
This does not change your voter registration; it simply redirects your ballot for that election cycle.

Remember, official election mail cannot be forwarded by the Postal Service under Arizona law. If you move or plan to be away, request a temporary ballot mailing address or update your registration, rather than relying on forwarding.

Security and signature verification for mail ballots

When you return an early ballot:

You place it in the signed affidavit envelope.

The Elections Department compares your signature on that envelope with the signatures in your official voter registration record (including past affidavit signatures on file).

If the signature is consistent, your ballot is accepted and moved forward to be counted.

If there is a question about your signature, the county must attempt to contact you, and you have a limited number of days after the election to correct (“cure”) the issue so your ballot can be counted.

Only ballots with verified signatures are counted. Uncounted ballots and the reasons they are not counted are documented as part of the official canvass.

One-time early ballot requests

If you prefer not to stay on AEVL but want a ballot by mail for a single election:

You can submit a one-time early ballot request for that election or election cycle.

You may do this online using the county’s request tools, by calling the Elections Department, or by mailing in a written request with your basic identifying information and the election you are requesting a ballot for.

This can be especially helpful if you’re unsure how you’ll want to vote in future elections but know that you’ll be away or busy during a specific election period.

Find a voting location or ballot drop box near you

If you prefer to vote in person, or you need to return a mail ballot in person rather than using the postal mail, Maricopa County offers an interactive tool to help you locate the right site.

Use the official voting locations and drop boxes page to search by address or area:
Find your voting location or ballot drop box.

On this page, you can:

Search for locations by:
Full street address (with house number)
City and ZIP code

Filter sites by:
All locations
Open for in-person voting
Drop box only

For best results:

Enter your full street name (including “Street,” “Avenue,” etc.), not abbreviations.

Skip unit numbers such as apartment or suite numbers.

If you want sites in a particular city or ZIP code, you can search directly by that information.

During active elections, you’ll also see:

Which locations are open now

Days and hours of operation for each site

Whether a location is a Ballot Replacement Center, where you can get a replacement ballot if yours was lost, damaged, or never arrived

Because location hours can change, the county recommends checking this page or calling before you head out, especially near the beginning or end of the voting window.

Make elections accessible: assistance, special election boards, and language support

Maricopa County aims to provide full and equal access to elections for all eligible voters, including voters with disabilities, health concerns, or language needs. Many of these services are coordinated through the county’s Voter Assistance Services.

You can learn more about these programs at:
Explore voter assistance services.

Key support options include:

Accessible ballots by mail

Voters with visual or other disabilities who prefer to vote by mail can request:

Braille ballots
Large print ballots

These can be requested permanently or for a single election by contacting the Elections Department. The county will work with you to ensure you receive the format that best fits your needs.

Special Election Boards

If you are a registered voter with a confining illness or disability and cannot vote at a polling location, you may request help from a Special Election Board (SEB).

Special Election Boards:

Consist of two members from different political parties

Undergo background checks and specialized training

Take an oath and follow state law (including A.R.S. § 16-549)

Can assist you in:
Registering to vote
Marking your ballot if requested
Voting at home, in the hospital, or another convenient location

They are strictly prohibited from influencing how you vote; their role is to assist, not to direct your choices.

Accessibility at voting locations

Every Maricopa County voting location is assessed for ADA compliance and must provide accessibility options, including:

Accessible Voting Devices that allow you to:
Use large print settings
Vote with audio-only instructions
Use sip-and-puff devices
Use a touch screen interface

Curbside voting, so you can remain in your vehicle while poll workers bring the materials to you

Assistance in marking your ballot, either from a poll worker or a person of your choice

All services and election materials are provided in both English and Spanish, and locations strive to have bilingual poll workers available.

Language assistance

Under the Voting Rights Act, Maricopa County provides language assistance for voters, including:

Ballots and election information in English and Spanish

Educational materials and voter information in both languages

A specialized audio glossary that includes Tohono O’odham terms for certain election-related words

If you or a family member prefers to receive information in Spanish or needs help understanding election materials, these services are available at no extra cost.

Track your ballot and sign up for status alerts

Once you’ve mailed your ballot or dropped it off, you don’t have to wonder if it arrived. Maricopa County tracks every ballot through each major step of the process and lets you check the status online or by alert.

Use the official ballot tracking page to monitor your ballot:
Track your ballot and sign up for alerts.

With ballot tracking you can:

See when:
Your ballot is prepared
Your ballot is mailed
The county receives your voted ballot
Your signature is verified
Your ballot is counted

You can also:

Text “JOIN” to 628-683 to receive text updates
Opt in to email notifications
Get alerts about changes to your voter registration information, not just ballot status

In-person voters can see confirmations as well, so you know your ballot has been accepted when you vote at a polling place or vote center.

See what’s on your ballot and how election results are reported

Knowing what’s on your ballot ahead of time allows you to research candidates and measures rather than rushing in the voting booth or at your kitchen table.

Through the voter dashboard and election pages, you can:

View the contests and candidates that apply to your address
See county ballot measures that may affect your city, town, or district
Confirm whether there are special elections in your area

After you vote, you can follow how the county reports results. Maricopa County publishes:

Unofficial results on election night and as ballots are processed
Official results after all eligible ballots are counted and canvassed
Historic results archives so you can look back at prior elections

To review results once they’re posted, you can use the official results portal:
View official election results.

The county also provides information about:

How ballots are counted
Automatic recount rules
Election maps and data for cities and towns

This transparency helps you understand why results may continue to update after Election Day as valid early, provisional, and cured ballots are added to the counts.

Stay informed with official election news and updates

Election rules, dates, and procedures can change based on new laws or court decisions. Rather than relying on second-hand information, Maricopa County encourages voters to follow its official updates.

You can keep up with changes, election plans, and important announcements through the county’s news section:
Read official election news releases.

In the news and information area, you’ll find:

Election news releases
Video explainers about how different parts of the process work
Live video feeds from ballot tabulation centers during active elections
Published election plans outlining how upcoming elections will be administered
Voter outreach information and how to request tours of facilities

Staying connected to these official channels makes it easier to separate facts from rumors and understand how each election in Maricopa County is being conducted.

Departments and offices for Maricopa County elections

Maricopa County Elections – 510 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003 – 602-506-1511

Maricopa County Recorder’s Office – Voter Registration – 301 W Jefferson St., Suite 705, Phoenix, AZ 85003 – 602-506-1511

Office of the Presiding Judge, Maricopa County Superior Court – Old Courthouse, 125 W. Washington St., Suite 510, Phoenix, AZ 85003 – 602-372-2537

Maricopa County Elections FAQs

How do I check my voter registration and see if there’s an election for me?

If you live in Maricopa County, the easiest way to confirm your registration, see if there’s an upcoming election in your area, and view what will be on your ballot is through the county’s personalized Voter Dashboard. After you log in, you’ll see your registration status, party, districts, and any active elections tied to your address. For key deadlines and election types throughout the year, review the county’s official Election Calendar.

What are my options for voting by mail in Maricopa County?

You can get a ballot by mail either by joining the Active Early Voting List (so a ballot is automatically mailed for every eligible election) or by making a one-time mail-ballot request for a specific election or election cycle. Both options are limited to registered voters and use strict signature verification before a ballot is counted. To start a request or learn how all-mail local elections work, visit Request a Mail Ballot on the official site: Request a Mail Ballot.

How can I find a voting location or ballot drop box near me?

Maricopa County uses vote centers and secure drop boxes that can be searched by address, city, or ZIP code. Before you go, you can filter for in-person voting locations or drop box–only sites and check dates and hours for each facility. Always confirm a site is open before heading out, because hours can vary by election. Use the county’s interactive map and tools on Where to Vote.

What help is available if I need accessibility or language support?

The county provides a range of support so every eligible voter can cast a ballot privately and independently. At voting locations, you’ll find ADA-assessed sites, curbside voting for voters who cannot leave their vehicle, and accessible ballot-marking devices with options like large print, audio, and sip-and-puff input. The county also offers Braille and large-print mail ballots on request and provides election information and ballots in both English and Spanish, with additional support through its Voter Assistance Services program.

How do I register to vote or update my information in Maricopa County?

To newly register, change your address, update your name, or switch party affiliation, you can use either the state’s online system (if you have an Arizona driver license or state ID) or a paper form. You must meet state eligibility rules and be registered by the statutory deadline before an election. Step-by-step instructions and official forms are available on the county’s Register to Vote page, and you can confirm your updated status later through the Voter Dashboard.