Supervisors authorize June special election vote‑center plan after questions on rural access
Loading...
Summary
The board approved a resolution authorizing vote centers for a special congressional election. County elections staff said rural voters without in‑precinct facilities can request mailed ballots or sign up for permanent early voting; some residents raised access and civil‑rights concerns during public comment.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution authorizing the use of vote centers and the proposed locations for an upcoming special congressional election.
Elections Director Scott Jarrett and Assistant County Manager Zach Shura told the board the plan complies with state and federal law and that voters in two small rural precincts without a convenient public building still have options: they can sign up for the active early‑voting list to receive ballots automatically, or they can request a one‑time mailed ballot and return it during the 27‑day early‑voting period. Jarrett said the county would mail notifications to the affected voters and that voting locations are ADA‑compliant with accessible voting devices.
During public comment a speaker representing the rural voters said the Department of Justice civil‑rights guidance requires providing both absentee ballots and an in‑person voting location for certain remote voters; she told the board that roughly 107 voters were effectively without a polling place and that many are seniors or Spanish speakers. County legal counsel and elections staff said they do not believe the resolution violates federal law and that county attorney guidance indicates automatic mailing to voters who have not requested ballots is not authorized under Arizona law for this special election. Chief civil attorney Tom Liddy told the board the county attorney’s office had reviewed the plan and that state statutes govern how Arizona conducts elections.
Supervisors asked elections staff about outreach. Jarrett said the county will send letters to residents at their residential addresses explaining options and noted that many of the listed voters are already on the active early‑voting list and therefore will receive ballots. Assistant County Manager Zach Shura added that the elections office will provide a broader communications plan for the election and brief political‑party chairs in an upcoming party briefing.
The board approved the resolution and accompanying vote‑center plan with a unanimous vote. Several supervisors asked staff to follow up on outreach and to check for any outliers who might need additional assistance to ensure access to ballots.
Why it matters: Special elections can pose unique logistical challenges for remote and sparsely populated precincts. The county’s vote‑center plan relies on early‑voting options to serve remote voters, but some residents and advocates pressed the board to take additional measures to ensure in‑person access and to confirm compliance with federal civil‑rights guidance.
