Early voting starts Wednesday for Phoenix’s mayoral runoff election

PHOENIX – Early voting begins Wednesday for Phoenix’s March 12 special election for mayor and two city council seats.

In-person early voting will continue on the 15th floor of City Hall until March 8.

The city will then open 28 voting centers March 9, 11 and 12.

Mail-in ballots will be sent out Wednesday to voters on the Permanent Early Voting List and those who requested early ballots.

Voters who want an early ballot and haven’t signed up for it can request one by March 1.

Completed early ballots can be submitted by mail or dropped off at City Hall and must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. They can also be submitted at any voting center March 9, 11 and 12.

Post official officials recommend getting early ballots in the mail by March 4 to be received on time.

All Phoenix residents registered by Monday’s deadline will be able to vote in the mayoral runoff between two former council members, Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela.

In the November general election, Gallego garnered 45 percent of the vote and Valenzuela got 26 percent. The threshold to avoid a runoff was 50 percent.

Councilwoman Thelda Williams has been serving as interim mayor since June, when she stepped in for Greg Stanton. Stanton had resigned to make a successful run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

District 8 voters will choose Gallego’s replacement from among seven candidates in the special election: Gilbert Arvizu, Carlos Garcia, Mike Johnson, Lawrence Robinson, Camaron Stevenson, Warren Stewart Jr. and Onesimus “Pops” Strachan.

Felicita Mendoza has been holding down the seat since she was appointed in August.

District 5 voters get to fill Valenzuela’s seat, which is being pursued by four candidates: Audrey Bell-Jenkins, Betty Guardado, Vania Guevara and Lydia Hernandez.

Guevara has occupied the role since her August appointment.

The mayoral and District 5 elections are for terms that end in April 2021, while the District 8 term runs through April 2023.

Additional information about the election is available on the city’s website.

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