Maricopa County passes 2.5 million registered voters

PHOENIX – Maricopa County passed 2.5 million registered voters this week ahead of the November elections.

Since January of this year, over 200,000 new registrants have been added to the county’s voter roll.

Diana Solorio, public information officer with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, said the number of registered voters is “historic.” She credits an increase in the state’s population as one of the reasons behind it.

“We are expecting a historic turnout for the November general election,” Solorio told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.

On National Voter Registration Day, which was Tuesday, the recorder’s office received 28,400 new voter registrations, a record for 2020.

Solorio explained that due to the huge increase in voter registration the county is taking additional steps to ensure they are ready in November.

Those steps include making sure there are enough early voting locations and on election day being prepared with staff and safety materials to ensure “everyone can safely exercise their right to vote.”

“Voting centers will have enough space to allow for social distancing. Poll workers will be wearing masks and gloves and gloves will also be available to the public for in-person voting,” Solorio said.

The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5, and registrations can be checked online.

Early ballots will be sent out Oct. 7 and voters must mail them back no later than October 27. Ballots can also be dropped off at any voting location or a ballot drop off box.