To be counted, all ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you are returning your ballot, you should mail it at least five to seven days before Election Day to ensure it is delivered on time. This year, the recommended last date to return your ballot is October 29th.

If you are a rural voter, you may want to consider allowing more time. In some remote areas of the state, ballots are transported by postal workers across county and state lines to larger cities for sorting – and then must be returned to county election officials.

Here's what you should know about returning your ballot — and making sure it counts.

Do I need a stamp for my mail-in ballot?

Postage is prepaid, so no stamp is required for your ballot.

Can I still vote if I miss the deadline?

You can still vote by dropping off your ballot at a secure drop box or voting in person at a polling place. It is not recommended to return your ballot after October 29th as it may not reach election officials in time to be counted.

Where are ballot drop boxes near me?

Most counties in Arizona offer at least a handful of these boxes. Some are located at polling locations and are only accessible when those locations are open. Others are outdoors and available to voters at any time.

To find ballot drop boxes near you, check your county's election website.

The Maricopa County Recorder's Office provides polling place and drop box information on its website.

When is the last day to vote?

Election day is Tuesday, November 5th. Polling stations will be open on this day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m

If you return or drop off your ballot, it must be received by 7:00 p.m. to be counted.

If you vote in person, you must be in line to cast your ballot by 7:00 p.m.

Some counties assign polling places to voters based on their precinct. Others use a vote center model, where voters can go to any polling place in the county to cast their vote. For further information, please contact your district returning officer.

Can I check the status of my ballot?

Yes. Maricopa County voters can track their ballot at BeBallotReady.Vote. Pima County voters can track their ballot on the county recorder's website. Voters in other parts of Arizona can track their ballot through BallotTrax.

Maricopa County election officials talk about voting and tabulation

Maricopa County election officials talk about voting, tabulation and the process on Oct. 22, 2024.

Will election officials contact me if there is a problem with my ballot?

Yes. If poll workers cannot verify the signature on the outside of your early voting envelope, they will attempt to contact you to ensure that you were the person who filled out the envelope.

That's why you'll find a place on your early voting envelope for your phone number – so poll workers can contact you at any time if they have any questions.

If you hear from election officials, respond as quickly as possible. State law provides a limited window of time to correct mismatched signatures and ensure your ballots count.

Do you still have questions?

The Arizona Secretary of State's Office provides contact information for election officials by county.

All voters can contact the Secretary of State's Office at 1-877-THE-VOTE or 602-542-8683.

Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for the Arizona Republic. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. Subscribe to her weekly election newsletter, Republic Recount.