What you need to know before you go to the polls

Arizona voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to weigh in on a slew of crucial and contentious races.

The centerpiece will be the top-of-the-ticket presidential race. Republican Donald Trump will face Democrat Kamala Harris, a matchup widely expected to be close on the desert battlefield.

Other high-profile matches include a showdown between Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Ruben Gallego for the US Senate And various congressional confrontations. Meanwhile, Democrats are fighting for a reversal the State House – and the Republicans want to maintain their control.

Locally, crucial varieties are in abundance. Maricopa County Voters will determine the outcome of two competitive supervisor races, one in the southeastern Valley and another in central and north Phoenix. The recorder race and sheriff contest are expected to be notable. Moreover, there are city And school competitions.

There is also a long list of voting proposals. Topics include abortion, immigration and election administration.

Polling locations will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for in-person voting and for early voters to continue returning their ballots. Before you head to the polls, here’s what you need to know.

Who can vote?

Arizonans who registered to vote by Oct. 7 can cast their ballots in the general election.

You can check your registration status online through Arizona’s voter information portal. If you live in Maricopa County, you can also visit your voter dashboard to check the status of your registration.

Will I be assigned a polling station?

Whether you are assigned a polling station or not depends on the province in which you live.

Most counties will use a vote center model for these elections, allowing voters to cast their ballots at any polling place within their borders. Those provinces include:

Cochise County
Province of La Paz
Maricopa County
Navajo County
Pima County
Santa Cruz Province
Yavapai Province
Yuma County

Other counties will use a district-based voting model, where voters are assigned a polling place based on where they live. Those provinces include:

Apache Province
Mohave County
Pinal Province

Some counties will use a hybrid model, offering a number of voting centers and some district-based voting options in specific areas. Those provinces include:

Coconino province
Gila Province
Graham County
Greenlee County

Please contact your local election officials to find polling places in your province.

Do I have to show ID at the polls?

Yes, you must identify yourself at the polling stations unless you drop off a ballot in a signed certified envelope.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

Your valid Arizona driver’s license
Your valid state ID card
Your tribal enrollment card
Other government-issued ID
Two items, such as a utility bill and a bank statement, that show your name and address

Is there a dress code at the polls?

Some states ban voters from wearing clothing with political messages to the polls — but Arizona is not one of them.

Poll workers, political party observers, and election officials are not allowed to wear shirts, hats, or other items of clothing with political slogans. But voters are free to wear whatever they want – regardless of whether that is the case a bright red “Make America Great Again” hat or a Swiftie-esque “Harris Walz” friendship bracelet.

Will there be lines?

Most likely. Lines are common on Election Day, especially during high-turnout presidential cycles. Wait times are typically less than 30 minutes.

Some jurisdictions, including populous Maricopa and Pima counties, have a two-page ballot this year. Officials have warned that the long vote could lead to longer lines than normal at some voting locationsespecially in the last voting hours before the polling stations close.

To avoid queues, consider voting in the morning or early afternoon when polling stations are less busy. Reduce your time at the polls by making a plan before you vote so you can fill out your ballot faster.

If you are a voter in Maricopa County, check the election website for up-to-date information about waiting times at polling stations.

I will hand in my ballot on Election Day. Can I skip the line?

Yes. If you are just dropping off a mail-in ballot, you can skip the line and go straight to the drop box when you arrive at the polling place.

Can I track my ballot?

Yes. Voters in Maricopa County can track their ballot at BeBallotReady.Vote. Voters in Pima County can track their ballot the county recorder’s website. Voters in other parts of Arizona can track their ballot at Ballot Trax.

What should I do if the polls close while I am standing in line?

If the polls close while you are still in line to vote, do not leave. As long as you are in line at 7 p.m., you are entitled to cast your vote.

What should I do if I have problems at the ballot box?

If you encounter problems at the polls, you can get help by calling the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office at 877-THE-VOTE.

In the event of an active emergency, you can call 911.

Do you have any questions?

The Arizona Republic wants answers. Please contact [email protected].

The Arizona Secretary of State’s office offers this contact information for election officials per province.

All voters can contact the Office of the Secretary of State at 1-877-THE-VOTE or 602-542-8683.

Sasha Hupka handles county government and elections administration for the Arizona Republic. Reach her out [email protected]. Follow her on X: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. Sign up for her weekly election newsletter, Republic recount.