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UpdateArizonaWednesday, November 4, 2026

Pima County officials prepare for late rush at polls on Tuesday

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
KVOA Politics (Tucson)
“Pima County election officials expect late rush at the polls”, Wednesday, November 4, 2026
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What happened

Pima County election officials prepared for a major surge of voters Tuesday evening as polls approached their 7 p.m. closing time. More than 1,200 people cast ballots within the first 15 minutes of polls opening. By Tuesday afternoon about 60% of the more than 500,000 early ballots sent to voters had been returned, with the busiest drop boxes at the Oro Valley Library and near Broadway Boulevard and Kolb Road.1

Elections Director Constance Hargrove attributed the expected high single-day turnout to a decrease in early mail-in ballots compared to previous cycles. Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly said she expects the final early ballot totals to match or exceed 2022 midterm numbers, with the largest rush anticipated between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.1

1,200
people who cast ballots in first 15 minutes of polls opening1
60%
of early ballots returned by Tuesday afternoon1
more than 500,000
early ballots sent to voters1
What it means in Arizona

What happens to ballots after polls close

Mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.2

Key dates in Arizona

Election Day in -7 days
  1. Mon, Oct 5 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Wed, Oct 7 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Fri, Oct 23 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Fri, Oct 30 · passed
    Early voting ends
  5. Tue, Nov 3 · passed
    Election Day; Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Mon, Nov 23 · 13 days
    State certification

Every date in Arizona, and who certifies the election

More on this story
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Reporting by KOLD News 13 (Tucson)
Arizona · Nov 9
Arizona secretary of state race remains too close to call
Reporting by KOLD News 13 (Tucson)
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in Arizona, 2026Who certifies the election in Arizona, and by when?How do I vote by mail or early in Arizona in 2026?

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Sources

  1. KVOA Politics (Tucson), https://kvoa.com/news/decision2026/pima-county-election-officials-expect-late-rush-at-the-polls/article_d1642a10-0f1e-4b0d-8341-861286b8223e.html · Wednesday, November 4, 2026
  2. Vote.org, Arizona Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/arizona/

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