Maricopa County Recorder Richer explains how independents can vote in August primary

PHOENIX — Independents are the largest portion of voters in Maricopa County and they can have a say in the upcoming midterm primary elections.

Independents who want to vote in the Aug. 2 primary can do so by taking action in a number of ways, County Recorder Stephen Richer told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Wednesday.

The county will send postcards to independents, who will need choose to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary.

Independents won’t get a ballot sent to them — even if they are on the active early voter list — unless they pick a party.

Independents can also request a ballot online or at a voting location through Election Day.

“The important takeaway is that you have to take another affirmative step,” Richer said.

The registration numbers are close, but independents make up 34.6% — 900,243 — of voters in Maricopa County, according to Richer.

Republicans are a close second with 889,286 (34.2%) voters. Democrats are third with 787,453 (30.3%) voters.

Richer said registration numbers are rising across the board every month, but “50%-60% of new registrations are coming as independents.”

“Well, all ships are rising a little bit, but independents are rising at a much faster rate every month,” Richer said.

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