Maricopa County considers new model for August primary amid coronavirus
May 6, 2020, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:55 am
(AP Photo/Richard Drew)
(AP Photo/Richard Drew)
PHOENIX – In light of the coronavirus outbreak, the Maricopa County Elections Department is considering an adapted model for the August 4 primary election.
The proposed plan would include 10-14 days of in person voting at 75-100 unassigned locations in the days leading up to Aug. 4.
These locations would also adhere to strict cleaning and physical distancing guidelines.
“When developing this revised model for the Primary Election, our top priority is to implement safety measures at our polling locations,” Scott Jarrett, director of election day and emergency voting, said in a meeting on Monday.
“Most of the traditional polling locations are not large enough to implement proper physical distancing, which is one of the primary factors we’re considering when selecting a voting location.”
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In the original model by the Election Department, the county would have over 500 assigned precincts for election day. Many of the locations they would use are too small to allow for physical distancing.
Jarrett said Maricopa is projecting around 700,000 people to participate in the August primary out of approximately 2.4 million registered voters.
If COVID-19 wasn’t as prevalent, they’d predict that 100,000 voters would turn up in person to vote.
The county is also looking to provide voters with a one-time mail in ballot or to join the permanent early voting list. Currently, 73% of registered voters in the county are on that list.
Voters can find up to date information about election information at BeBallotReady.Vote.
