Election season underway as early voting begins for July 21 primary
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All eyes are on Arizona after early voting began on Wednesday. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
The final countdown to the election has officially begun with the start of early voting on Wednesday for the July 21 primary.
Why it matters: In many races, especially for Congress and the Legislature, districts are so heavily Republican or Democratic that the primary is the only election that really matters.
- And in more competitive races, a lot may be riding on who wins their parties' nominations.
State of play: If you're already on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) and you're registered with a political party, you'll automatically receive your ballot in the mail.
- If you're not, you can request one online.
- Put your ballot in the mail by July 14, bring it to an official drop box or early voting location, or bring it to a vote center by 7pm on Election Day.
- You can also cast a ballot at early, in-person voting locations.
If you're registered independent — meaning you're not registered with a party — you have to expressly request a partisan ballot, even if you're on the AEVL, because you must choose which party's primary you want to vote in.
👀 Races to watch:
Governor: U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs is the presumptive Republican nominee, but must defeat U.S. Rep. David Schweikert and businessmen Ken Miceli and Scott Neely in the GOP primary before taking on Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Secretary of state: State Rep. Alex Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) and former Arizona Republican Party chair Gina Swoboda seek the GOP nomination, with the winner facing Secretary of State Adrian Fontes in November.
Attorney general: The winner of the acrimonious Republican primary between Rodney Glassman and Senate President Warren Petersen will face Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Treasurer: Katherine Haley and Elijah Norton are battling for the Republican nomination while Nick Mansour is the lone Democrat in the race.
Superintendent of public instruction: State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, who's termed out, is challenging incumbent Tom Horne in the Republican primary.
- Behavior analyst Brett Newby faces longtime teacher and former Glendale Community College president Teresa Ruiz for the Democratic nomination.
Corporation Commission: State Rep. Ralph Heap (R-Mesa) runs as the lone Arizona Freedom Caucus recruit against incumbents Nick Myers and Kevin Thompson after teammate David Marshall resigned from the House for an appointment as Navajo County recorder.
1st Congressional District: Arizona's most hotly contested congressional race features spirited primaries on both sides of the aisle, with the national Democratic and Republican parties backing candidates for the competitive seat being vacated by longtime incumbent Schweikert.
4th Congressional District: Progressive challenger Kai Newkirk looks to unseat four-term U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton in the Democratic primary.
5th Congressional District: The Republican primary for the open seat in the deep-red East Valley district pits business owner Daniel Keenan against former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who's been hampered recently by allegations of sexual improprieties.
Scottsdale City Council: Eight candidates are vying for three seats on Scottsdale's turbulent City Council.
- Candidates who get outright majorities win their seats, with other races going to a runoff in the general election.
Chandler mayor: State Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-Chandler) and City Council member Matt Orlando are seeking to replace outgoing Mayor Kevin Hartke.