Government » Voter Registration

Just the Facts

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When are elections held?

How do I prepare for the next election?

What is a “Vote by Mail” election?

  • Every qualified elector registered within the boundaries of the jurisdiction having the “Vote by Mail” election will automatically be mailed a ballot.
  • There are no Vote Centers on Election Day.
  • Voted ballots must be received by the Voter Services office or jurisdiction no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Ballots may either be mailed or deposited at the drop boxes at the County Building in Yuma or the drop box locations can be found here.
  • Replacement ballots are available, starting 27 days prior to the election, at our office in Yuma and/or depending on the jurisdictions holding the election.
  • Contact Voter Services if you have not received your ballot or you need a replacement ballot.
  • The last day to request, a replacement ballot to be mailed is 11 days prior to any election; though replacement ballots are available until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Campaign Finance Report:

Do I have to file Campaign Finance Reports?

  • If you filed a Statement of Organization, you are required to file Campaign Finance Reports. The reporting dates are listed on the front page of the Campaign Finance Report Form.

Can I file my Campaign Finance Reports electronically or by mail?

  • Yuma County accepts Campaign Finance Reports by email, mail or in-person. If you mail your report, we recommend allowing enough delivery time that it arrives before the filing deadline.
  • Electronic reports can be sent by email to elections@yumacountyaz.gov.
  • For more information about filing campaign finance reports, please refer to A.R.S. §§ 16-926 and 16-927.

Candidates:

Where do I get my candidate paperwork and where do I file?

  • County Office – receive and file paperwork with the Election Services Office in Yuma. The County Candidate Packets are available online here.
  • Special District Boards – receive and file paperwork with the Election Services Office in Yuma. The Special District Candidate Packet is available here.
  • Precinct Committeemen – receive and file paperwork with the Election Services Office in Yuma. The Precinct Committeemen Packet is available here.
  • School Board – receive and file paperwork with the School Superintendents Office in Yuma.
  • State or Federal Office – receive and file paperwork with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
  • City or Town Council Seat – receive and file paperwork with that City or Town Clerk’s office.

When can I begin gathering signatures?

  • You may begin collecting nomination petition signatures at any time after filing your Statement of Interest with the Election Services Office.

Who can sign my petitions? 

Signatures must be obtained from qualified electors who are eligible to vote for the candidate whose nomination petition they are signing (A.R.S. §§ 16-321(B) & 16-322).

  • If you are running for a County Office, signers are registered in the district you are running for, registered with your same political party, or registered as:
    • Independents
    • No party preference
    • Members of political parties that are not qualified for representation on the ballot

    • If you are running for a Special District, anyone registered to vote in your district can sign your petitions. 

How do I complete the top portion of my petition?

  • The purpose of the petition is to inform people who you are and what you are running for. Read the petition language carefully, and fill in the information requested in the blanks provided.

While we want to make sure you are as informed as possible, we cannot tell you how to fill out your paperwork. If you need help, you can consult your county political party office, or seek advice from an attorney.

How do I know how many signature I need to get for my candidacy?

  • The number of nominating signature you must get varies by position and party. Signature requirements are based on the voter registration totals reported on January 2nd of the election year. Before January 2nd, only “Unofficial” signature requirements are available. See the appropriate candidate packets here for the signature requirements.

I want to review my opponent’s petitions. What do I do?

  • Nomination Petitions are available for public inspection and purchase from the Elections Division. To check the signatures on candidate petitions against the Voter Registration records, you must:
    •  Submit a Public Record Request Form with the Elections office.
    •  Purchase copies of the desired candidate’s petition from our office at $0.25 per page.
    •  Schedule an appointment with the Voter Registration Services for use of their public computer by calling       (928) 373-6034 or email voterservices@yumacountyaz.gov

If you want to look at another candidate’s petitions and do not want copies, you can do so under the direct supervision of the Election staff, but you cannot use this option if you want to check the signatures against the Voter Registration records.

What is the difference between a Financial Disclosure Statement and Campaign Finance Reports?

  • A Financial Disclosure Statement is a report of your personal finances, and is filed at the same time as your Nomination Paper and Petitions. Special District candidates do not have to file Financial Disclosure Statements. County Elected Officials also file an annual Financial Disclosure with Election Services.

  • Campaign Finance Reports track all the money that a committee has collected and spent. Campaign Finance Reports are filed several times during the year, and cover specific periods of time. All committees who file a Statement of Organization, including Special District candidates, are responsible for filing Campaign Finance Reports. Campaign Finance Reports are required until a Termination Statement to close out committee.

Who do I call to complain about political sign?

  • Yuma County Election Services is not responsible in any way for candidate’s political signs or signage. Campaign signage limitations and requirements are listed in A.R.S. § 28-648(D). Please contact the jurisdiction or candidate.

Election Day:

What hours are the polls open?

  • On Election Day, all Vote Centers are open from 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.
What is a Vote Center? 
  • A Vote Center is a designed location where any registered voter in the county can cast their vote at any location, regardless of their assigned precinct.

Provisional Ballots:

What are Provisional Ballots?

You will be asked to vote a Provisional Ballot at a Vote Center (Election Day) if:

  • You are not a registered voter
  • You changed your name or address and have not re-registered twenty-nine (29) days prior to Election Day
  • You already voted the early ballot you received in the mail
  • You already voted early in person
  • You are not registered in the district holding the election
  • You are not registered with a participating party (Presidential Preference Election only)
  • You failed to show acceptable ID at the Vote Center
    You must either bring acceptable ID back to any Vote Center on Election Day or to the County Recorder’s office within 5 business days after the General Election or 3 business days after any other for it to be counted.
Are Provisional Ballots counted?
  • Yes, every verified provisional ballot is counted.