We should begin calling it the 'October election,' not the November election
11th Aug 2020
With the August primary behind us, everyone is now focused on the November election. I'd say they're far-sighted. Why? Because while Election Day is Nov. 3, most Arizonans vote by mail and early ballots are mailed out beginning on Oct. 7.
What's more, if you hadn't registered to vote two days earlier, Oct. 5, you'll be ineligible to vote. That means when campaigns are hot and heavy in mid-October, it will be too late for any laggards, procrastinators or fashionably late individuals to register to vote in time to cast a ballot in what's shaping up to be one of the most important elections in our lifetime.
When we think of October, we think of fall leaves, not election ballots. That mindset must change. October is really Election Month in Arizona. A quick look at the calendar shows why:
The last day of October is Halloween. Nobody forgets that date. However, most everybody forgets or never knew the last day to ensure your mailed-in ballot will reach the election box in time to counted is Oct. 28. And that's provided there is no slowdown by the U.S. Postal Service.
As you can see, October clearly should be viewed as the new Election Month.
In the weeks to come, CPLC Action Fund will conduct voter engagement, voter education and voter registration efforts, followed by the all-important get-out-the-vote reminders. But you don't have to wait another minute, and certainly not until October, to register to vote. You can register is less than 5 minutes by going to ServiceArizona.com and register online in either English or Spanish.
If you haven't registered to vote, do so today. The future is literally in your hands when you're holding a ballot.
-- Joseph Garcia, Executive Director