Voting by mail in Arizona has friend in Maricopa County Recorder Fontes

PHOENIX – Voting by mail could be the only way Arizonans cast their ballots in the August primaries, and that’s a good thing, Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes said Tuesday.

“Arizona should be voting in the mail already,” Fontes told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show, a few hours after the state’s presidential primary got underway.

The coronavirus pandemic had slowed early morning voting, Fontes said, but turnout had been steady.

The White House and federal and state health officials have encouraged social distancing in recent guidelines meant to help avoid spreading the virus.

If the pandemic lasts into summer, voting from home could be the standard.

“Arizona and Maricopa County are prepared to go to all ballot by mail, which given the health circumstances, is simply the best bet,” said Fontes, long a proponent of mail-in voting.

“We already know how to do this,” he added, pointing to the county’s August 2018 primary race. The majority of voting – 85% percent – was done at home.

The number dropped slightly to 80% in the general election.

“There are states all over the United States right now that are scrambling to do this,” Fontes said.

“But out west, Oregon, Washington and Colorado … already do all their ballots by mail.”

He added, “We can make sure that democracy remains defended here in Maricopa County and and in Arizona if we do go to all ballot by mail.”

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