Arizona allocates resources to address pandemic voting health issues

PHOENIX – An executive order issued Wednesday will allocate more resources to local election departments in Arizona designed to ensure voter and poll worker safety.

Gov. Doug Ducey’s order will permit state-owned facilities to be used as voting sites and will help provide protective gear and cleaning supplies at polling places as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The announcement was made in conjunction with Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, the state’s top elections official.

The executive order, Hobbs said in a tweet, “makes it clear that the State of Arizona will have all hands on deck to ensure voters can safely cast a ballot this season.”

In July, Ducey directed $9 million from the federal coronavirus relief bill to county recorders and election departments for response efforts.

Arizona’s primary is Aug. 4.

“Voting is an essential right in our democracy and Arizona is committed to making sure Arizonans can cast their ballots safely and securely,” Ducey said in a press release.

His order also will allow state employees to act as poll workers on Election Day without losing pay or using leave time.

“Poll workers are crucial to successful elections and help safeguard the integrity of the process,” Hobbs said in a press release.

Early voting for the Arizona primary began July 8.

Friday is the last day voters who aren’t on the permanent early voting list can request a mail-in ballot or be added to the list.

Voters registered as independents, even if they are on the permanent early list, must contact their county’s recorder office to select the primary ballot they want to receive.

Mail-in ballots must arrive at county elections offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day. July 29 is recommended as the latest day to get ballots in the mail.

Hobbs’ office has released two safety guides for elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, one for voters and one for local elections officials, and is encouraging voters to cast their ballots early.

The general election is Nov. 3.

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