Arizona elections advocate says know the ballot before you hit the polls

PHOENIX – Arizona voters planning to go to the polls for Tuesday’s general election should give themselves plenty of time to look over their ballots beforehand to ease the process, says a leader with a statewide elections group.

“I can’t tell you how to vote, but I can tell you where to get your information so you know how to vote,” Gina Roberts, voter education director for Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Committee, said Thursday on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.

Besides races for governor, U.S. Senate and House and statewide offices such as secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and treasurer, there are 10 propositions on the ballot.

“It’s a very important ballot for voters to consider this year and with that comes taking the time to educate themselves on the candidate and issues so that they can go into the polling and fill out that ballot confidently,” Roberts said.

“It took me about 25 minutes to fill out the ballot and that was with me having some understanding of what was on the ballot.”

It’s a good idea to fill out the sample ballot that came in the mail, Roberts said.

“Once you actually make it into the polls, you can just fill out your official ballot fairly quickly,” she said.

Roberts said her nonpartisan agency has been fielding calls from voters who have lots of questions, particularly on the propositions.

“We’ve had questions on all of them,” she said.

The commission mailed out a voter education guide and the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office sent a booklet to households with registered voters several weeks ago.

“[They] have all the information regarding those measures in there,” Roberts said.

The commission’s guide features statewide and legislative candidates and justices and judges up for retention.

Anyone who can’t find their printed booklet can find what they need online, Roberts said, at Clean Elections or the secretary of state’s guide.

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