13 Weeks to Election Day
WHY VOTING?
Achieving high voter turnout in local elections is one of the most effective ways to ensure that communities’ needs are being met. As social service organizations aim to meet the needs of families and children and help communities thrive, providing information and resources about voting is a natural extension of that mission.
WHY NOW?
Voter suppression efforts have increased over the past several years. Regardless of political orientation or ideology, voting has become more difficult, and we want to help as many women as possible vote in the 2024 elections.
WHY WOMEN?
Women are the largest group to ever be disenfranchised in American history. This country has a longer history of women not being allowed to vote (about 144 years, 1776-1920) than it does with the women’s vote! The country would look quite different if the full population had a voice from the beginning.
Who is Eligible to Vote?
With the primary election finished, the countdown to the General election on Tuesday, November 5th begins! Are you registered to vote? If not, here are the requirements one must have to be eligible to vote:
- U.S. Citizen
○ In the process of gaining citizenship? Amazing! Be sure you’ve completed and passed the exam, and taken the oath before getting registered to vote.
- 18 Years old or older before or on election day (Nov. 5)
- Resident of Arizona + your county for 29 days before the election
You are ineligible to vote if:
- You have been declared an incapacitated person by a court of law (Judge) at the time of registration
- You have been convicted of treason or a felony at the time of registration, unless you have had your civil rights restored.*
○ Important: On completion of probation for an offense committed in AZ or absolute discharge from imprisonment, if you have not previously been convicted of a felony offense, your civil rights shall automatically be restored as a result of the conviction if you have paid all victim restitution imposed. You are not required to file an application pursuant to section 13-908 to restore your civil rights.
*A.R.S. § 13-907
What’s the Deal With Early Voting?
Arizona held its Primary Election. Now the countdown to the general election on Thursday, November 5th begins!
But guess what – you don’t have to wait! In Arizona, we’re lucky to have access to early voting. What’s the point of early voting? Early voting relieves the pressure to vote on a specific day in the future. Many of us can’t plan a week ahead of time, let alone 13 weeks from now! Who knows what will happen on November 5th – you or your child could get sick, or you could get stuck at work, or simply get distracted by something happening that day- any number of things could happen that would prevent you from making it to the polls.
Plus, it helps poll workers a ton, because it lightens the flood of ballots on election day, helping to ensure that ballots are counted accurately, and election results can be announced sooner.
Early voting allows you to get your ballot early, think about and research your choices and mail it in so that you know your vote will be counted! (just make sure it’s postmarked by November 8th or sooner!)
You can sign up for the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) online at the AZ Secretary of State website. Heads up – you’ll need an AZ Driver’s License or Non-Operating ID number to do it, but it only takes a few minutes!