Maricopa County approves plan for November general election

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Elections Department has approved plans for how voters can submit their selections for the November general election.

The county’s plan includes preparations for the possibility of a historic turnout, expanded voter access and new safety measures brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Voter registration for the November election ends Oct. 5 with early voting set to begin Oct. 7.

Voters will have the option to return their early ballot by mail by Oct. 27 or drop it off at a vote center or secure ballot drop box by 7 p.m. on Election Day, which is Nov. 3.

Maricopa County is adding drive-thru drop boxes in the parking lots of sport stadiums as another option for residents to submit their ballots.

Gila River Arena in Glendale and Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix are among the venues that will be utilized as drop-off locations.

“These large locations will also be able to check in more voters at a time and are located across the county, including on tribal land and in rural areas to ensure in-person voting continues to be an option for all communities,” Scott Jarrett, director of Election Day and Emergency Voting with the Maricopa County Elections Department, said in a press release.

Nearly 78% of the 2.5 million registered voters have already requested a ballot in the mail, according to the county.

All voting locations will be large enough to allow for physical distancing and safety protocols will be in place.

Voting locations will be open from Oct. 7 to Nov. 3.

Vote centers can be found on the election department’s website.

“We have layers of oversight to ensure only valid ballots are counted,” Rey Valenzuela, director of Early Voting and Election Services with the Maricopa County Elections Department, said. “We plan to make sure that no matter what option voters choose; it’s safe, accessible and secure.”

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