Pinal County approves ASU undergraduate elections fellowship, Recorder outlines 2026 election dates

PINAL COUNTY — The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 18 to approve a partnership with Arizona State University to place undergraduate fellows in the county elections department during the 2026 election cycle.

Recorder Dana Lewis presented the elections calendar and voter‑service timeline, telling the board the department has about 290,000 active voters and more than 325,000 combined active and inactive records. Lewis walked supervisors through key dates for jurisdictional and primary elections (May 19 for the Mammoth recall; early‑ballot and signature‑curing deadlines for upcoming cycles) and described outreach that includes NVRA and NCOA notices and local voter education events.

Lewis said a recent voter survey of about 800 respondents indicated most supported maintaining the current security affidavit envelope for early ballots and that the county will keep that envelope in 2026 despite a small cost. She also explained that Pinal County is a "received‑by" state, not a postmark state, and recommended voters use drop boxes or mail early enough to allow the county time to process ballots.

Bill Gates of ASU, representing the Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory, briefed the board about the proposed undergraduate fellowship program and introduced students and faculty who would support the county if the agreement is approved. The board approved the item by motion; no board members voted against the motion.

Chairman McClure and other supervisors thanked recorder staff for voter‑education outreach and staffing plans for the May and July elections.

The fellowship creates short‑term educational placements that Recorder Lewis said will help address staffing needs for the busy 2026 cycle and provide students with hands‑on election administration experience.