Gov. Doug Ducey to allocate $9M in support of safe, secure voting season
Jul 4, 2020, 4:25 AM
(Getty Images/Brett Carlsen)
(Getty Images/Brett Carlsen)
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced on Thursday he will be allocating $9 million from the federal coronavirus relief bill to support safe and secure voting during the upcoming election season.
Ducey will direct most of the AZVoteSafe funds — approximately $5 million — to county recorders and election departments for coronavirus response efforts, according to a press release.
COVID-19 response efforts will include hiring temporary staff and poll workers, increasing the number of secure ballot drop-off locations and expanding curbside voting at polling locations.
“Voting is a fundamental right and duty in our democracy,” Ducey said in the release.
“We’re working together to ensure all voters can exercise their right to vote safely this election.”
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County recorders and election departments across the state will also receive the following personal protective equipment:
- 19,000 reusable face masks for election workers
- 160,000 disposable face masks for voters
- 10,000 face shields for election workers
- 175,000 pairs of gloves
- 3,200 gallons of hand sanitizer
- 2,400 bottles of disinfectant spray
Additionally, $1.5 million will be utilized to promote early voting opportunities, especially for those in rural or tribal areas.
Approximately $1.5 million will also be allocated to inform voters regarding their options concerning voting by mail and early voting.
Arizonans can find more information about voter registration, mail-in ballots and early voting online.
