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Charles E. Gillman Company Accounting Specialist Sales and Marketing Everready Glass Sales Reps Administrative & Professional Jorgensen Brooks Group Counselor Mechanical Komatsu Equipment Co Resident Field Mechanic Trades/Construction RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional Tucson Urban League CEO/President OpinionWhat you need to know about today's primaryOur view: Take the opportunity to vote — several important races will be decided
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.02.2008
We heard a lot of talk over the long weekend about the logistics of today's primary election and the November general election. We're stepping in to answer some of the questions we heard.
Q: When is that election, anyway?
A: It is today, Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Q: Oh no! I forgot to mail in my early ballot for the primary. I guess that means I don't get to vote, huh?
A: Nope, it does not. You can deliver your completed early ballot to any polling place today or to the County Courthouse, at 115 N. Church Ave. Your deadline is 7 p.m. tonight.
Q; I didn't order an early ballot and I don't think I got a notice of where to go to vote. How do I find out where to go?
A: You can go online to www.pima.gov/elections and click on "Where to vote." You'll be invited to enter your address and then told where your polling place is. There is even a link to a map.
Or call the Pima County Recorder's Office voter information line: 740-4330.
Q: I work until 6 p.m. Will I have time to vote?
A: You could go before work or hurry over to your polling place after work. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Q: What kind of ID do I have to present at my polling place?
A: You'll need to show either one form of ID that has your photo, name and address — like a driver's license — or two forms of ID that bear your name and address, such as utility bills, bank statements, voter registration card or other "official election material" mailing.
Q: Is it too late to register for the primary?
A: Way too late. If you're not registered, you'll have to sit this one out, but you have almost a month to register for the general election.
Q: I'm turning 18. Can I register to vote in time for the presidential election?
A: Yes, you can. The registration deadline for the general is Monday, Oct. 6. The election itself is on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Q: How do I register?
A: Easy. You can go online to register or to print out a form that you complete and mail or deliver to the county recorder. Or you can go to the county recorder's office to fill out the form. The online site is www.azsos.gov/election/How_to_register.htm
Q: This primary looks pretty boring to me. Why should I bother to vote ?
A: There's more at stake than there may seem to be at first glance. Depending on where you live, there are several important races.
Members of both parties will choose three people to run for vacancies on the state Corporation Commission, which regulates utilities. Many will make choices in contested races.
The primary will effectively decide who takes two seats on the Pima County Board of Supervisors because there is no candidate in the other party. Republicans in the Board of Supervisors' District 1 will choose between incumbent Ann Day, whom the Star endorsed, and Joe Higgins. Democrats in supervisors' District 2 will chose between incumbent Ramon Valadez, whom the Star endorsed, and Robert Robuck.
In District 3, Democrat Donna Branch-Gilby is seeking to unseat incumbent Supervisor Sharon Bronson. The winner will face Republican Barney Brenner in the general.
Other contested races include a heated primary battle for state Senate in District 26 between Republicans Pete Hershberger and Al Melvin. In the state House of Representatives District 27, there's a Democratic fight among incumbents Phil Lopes and Olivia Cajero Bedford, and John Kromko.
Finally, and the most important answer:
Cast a ballot because voting is a privilege. It should be exercised.
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