Prescott Valley readies for Aug. 4 election; three council seats and an early-voting site announced

Prescott Valley is preparing for a municipal election currently set for Aug. 4; Town Clerk Fatima Fernandez said the date could change if the state legislature modifies election timing. "As of today, the election is August 4," Fernandez said, adding that legislative changes could shift the calendar to allow more time for recounts.

Fernandez listed the ballot positions residents can expect: a mayoral election, two open four-year council seats, and one two-year seat to fill the remainder of an existing term. "We do have, we're gonna have 3 ballot questions for our town council positions," she said, summarizing the slate of contests.

The town does not run its own elections. Fernandez said Prescott Valley contracts with Yavapai County under an intergovernmental agreement so the county provides equipment, staffing and training. "If the town of Prescott Valley ever decided to hold its own elections... it's too expensive," she said, noting that the IGA spreads costs among participating jurisdictions.

Fernandez also said she worked with the county to bring an early in-person voting site to Prescott Valley, the third such location in Yavapai County; the other two are in Cottonwood and Prescott. "If you wanted to vote in person, early in person in Yavapai County, the other 2 locations are in Cottonwood and Prescott," she said.

Fernandez urged residents to participate, noting the town’s costs are tied to the number of registered voters. "Whether they participate or not, the town is still paying for the ballot... We get charged for every single registered voter in the town," she said.

The town clerk’s office said residents should watch for official election notices and that the clerk maintains the elections calendar and coordinates with county election officials as state law and legislative action require.