Voting In Person Tuesday? Here's What To Know

By Jude Joffe-Block, Steve Goldstein
Published: Monday, August 29, 2016 - 3:39pm
Updated: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 - 8:11am
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(Photo by Jon Hoban - KJZZ)
A sign directs voters to a polling location.

Tuesday is the primary election, and it will be a different set up than the last two elections we had in May and March.

It’s also the first election since a new law took effect to prevent so-called ballot harvesting. KJZZ’s Jude Joffe-Block to tell us what we can expect on Tuesday.

Can independents vote?

Yes. Registered independents can choose a Republican or Democratic ballot at the polls.

Where do you go to vote in person?

You must go to an assigned polling place. Find it on the Maricopa County Recorder's website.

What if you go to the wrong place?

Poll workers will be able to look up your correct polling place with an electronic tablet

How will the new so-called ballot harvesting law, which makes it a felony for someone other than a family member, roommate or a caregiver to drop off a mail-in ballot, impact this election?

House Bill 2023 was signed into law in March, and means you should make sure you fall under one of the accepted categories if you are handling someone else's mail-in-ballot. The Maricopa County Recorders Office has said they don't plan on doing anything different this election because they don't have any instructions on how to enforce the law. It's also being challenged in federal court by plaintiffs who say it criminalizes a process many minority voters use to vote. However, the Arizona Republican Party has trained volunteer poll observers to be stationed at polling stations and be on the look out for violators of the law. Democrats and voting group say they are worried those efforts will encourage voter intimidation at the polls.

Editor's note: The final question and answer about the new ballot harvesting law have been expanded for clarification.

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