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Recorders’ office and election services outline preparations for July 15 special primary and revised vote centers
Summary
County recorder and election services staff briefed the board on ballots mailed, voter outreach, voting‑site changes for the July 15 special primary in Congressional District 7, and equipment and staffing plans.
YUMA — Yuma County election officials updated the Board of Supervisors on preparations for the special primary election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, scheduled July 15, and described changes to vote‑center locations and staffing.
Recorder David Lara told the board as of the briefing roughly 27,000 ballots had been mailed, including overseas ballots, and staff estimated election costs around $74,000 for the primary. Lara said turnout for primaries is typically low; at the time of his update he reported 63 ballots returned by mail and 14 in‑person votes. He described the special election as a useful “tune‑up” because the contest covers only part of the county’s voters.
Kika Guzman, election services director, provided a presentation about operations and requested board approval of revised vote‑center sites. Guzman said key candidate filing and challenge deadlines had passed and that the Secretary of State’s office conducted and certified logic‑and‑accuracy testing for ballot‑marking devices on June 12 with party representatives present.
Guzman asked the board to remove Foothills Library (outside CD‑7 boundaries) from the approved vote‑center list, add a Cesar Chavez site in San Luis, and swap the Somerton Library for the larger Somerton Community Center after city staff confirmed availability. She reminded supervisors that voters eligible in CD‑7 may appear at any approved vote center but only CD‑7 voters are eligible to cast ballots in this special election.
Officials said the county purchased voting equipment in February 2018; Guzman said the typical equipment lifespan is about 10 years and that the county has sought quotes to update poll pads and to budget for replacement equipment in 2026. Guzman said training for 84 election workers began in June and that nine early‑board members will handle early processing. Election communications are being distributed in English and Spanish and posted on the county website and social channels.
The board had no requested changes and approved the vote‑center site revisions on the consent agenda.
