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Board authorizes vote centers for special congressional election; staff to notify isolated voters and outline options
Summary
Maricopa County supervisors unanimously approved the vote center plan and locations for the June 2025 special congressional election and asked elections staff to reach out to voters in two isolated precincts about mail‑ballot options and vote‑center locations.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on May 21 approved a resolution authorizing vote centers and locations for the 2025 special election to fill the 7th Congressional District vacancy. The vote passed unanimously.
County elections staff and county counsel answered questions from supervisors about rural voters in two precincts with limited or no usable public buildings. Staff said the vote center model provides in‑person voting at any county vote center and that voters in those isolated precincts are eligible for early (mail) ballots if they are on the active early voting list or may request a one‑time mailed ballot for that election.
Staff outreach and legal guidance - Elections staff said they will mail letters to the affected voters at their residential addresses explaining options: sign up for the active early voting list (automatic mail delivery of ballots), request a one‑time ballot for this election, or vote in person at an assigned vote center. The board requested elections staff follow up to ensure there are no unanticipated access issues for those voters. - County counsel and county attorneys indicated the county does not have legal authority under the governing statutes to automatically mail ballots to all voters for this particular special election; county legal staff advised the recorder’s office that blanket mailing without statutory authority would not be allowed. Staff said the county will coordinate with political parties and issue broader communications through its planned outreach program.
Why it matters: The action sets the voting plan for a federal special election and prompted board scrutiny about access for a small number of voters in remote precincts. Supervisors requested further outreach steps to ensure those voters know their options.
What was decided - The board adopted the resolution authorizing vote centers and approved the proposed locations for the special congressional election. - Elections staff to notify affected voters and to conduct standard election communications and outreach; the recorder’s office and county elections team will invite county political party chairs to a briefing.
Ending: The board’s unanimous vote set the mechanics for the special election; staff will follow up with targeted outreach to a small set of rural voters and continue broader voter communications for the election period.
