As the next presidential election approaches, the importance of civic engagement cannot be overstated. Our state’s population is estimated to grow to about 7.6 million with most coming to the Maricopa and Pinal counties, and with 40.8 million Gen Z members becoming eligible to vote across the country, including 8.3 million newly eligible youth, the need for informed participation is paramount. Here, we provide some necessary tools and tips to navigate the electoral process confidently and clearly.
Visit the Clean Elections Website
To help make participation easy from start to finish, a good first step is to visit the Citizens Clean Elections Commission website. It is the most comprehensive hub of useful, actionable information including a Voter Dashboard, where you can type in your home address and find the names of your local and federal representatives; as well as information on how to register to vote, find your voting location, and where to tune in for candidate debates.
Register for The Active Early Voting List (AEVL)
When it comes to casting a ballot, early voting continues to be overwhelmingly popular, in fact about 80% of ballots are cast by mail. Voters who want to get an early ballot for every election can join the Active Early Voting List (AEVL), also linked on the Clean Elections website.
Read the Voter Education Guide (VEG)
Another great asset for voters is the Voter Education Guide (VEG) by Clean Elections. The VEG is a substantive booklet about what is on the ballot including statements from candidates running for office summarizing their arguments and positions and a how-to guide for the voting process. The 2024 Primary Election VEG for the July 30 election will be available online and through mail starting in early June.
Independents: You Can Vote!
Despite their significant numbers, many of the 1.3 million voters registered as “other,” or Independents, do not participate in primaries simply because they are unaware of their eligibility. However, Independents can indeed vote in primaries; they need only choose a ballot. Every eligible voter, regardless of affiliation, has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right. Independent voters that want to vote in the July 30th primary can visit the Clean Elections website to learn how to request a ballot.
Watch Candidate Debates
May marks the start of legislative virtual debates as well as statewide and federal office debates. As Arizona’s only official debate facilitator, Clean Elections aims to create the fairest, most watched debates in the history of the state. This is the best medium for voters to hear a candidate’s views on important issues first-hand so they can decide for themselves if a candidate is suited to represent them.
Combat Disinformation
Arizona is considered a battleground state and voters will be inundated with election messaging. It’s important to exercise media literacy when searching for or being presented with voting and election details so you can be sure you have accurate information. While there is no one solution for this issue, there are some basic steps to take such as:
- Verify sources before amplifying content on personal social media channels
- Be aware of biases
- Seek out trusted fact-checking websites
- Invite us to speak about elections and media literacy at your place of business or community center, our elections experts are available for small gatherings free of charge.
Now more than ever, every eligible citizen can make a difference by being an active participant and member of Arizona’s electorate. It is an understatement to say that democracy is not a spectator sport. Find everything that you need to know about voting in Arizona at www.azcleanelections.gov.
Author: Gina Roberts is the Voter Education Director for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. She administers a robust public education program that strives to encourage participation in the political process from voters across the state. With almost two decades of experience, Gina is well versed in election policy and administration, previously serving as the Elections Manager for the Secretary of State. Gina is an adjunct professor with the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School, teaching Voter Outreach and Participation. Gina graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science and has been a certified election officer since 2009.
