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Jul
20

Arizona, Make a Plan to Vote: Get #VoteReady

Arizona’s Primary Election Day is tomorrow, July 21st, and now is the perfect time to make sure you’re vote-ready.

As healthcare workers, you see every day how policies impact the health and well-being of our patients and communities. Primary elections often have much lower turnout, meaning a small number of voters can shape decisions that directly affect healthcare access, public health funding, and community resources.

Before tomorrow, July 21st, take 30 seconds to make your voting plan:

  1. Review ArMPAC’s 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide: Every ArMPAC-endorsed candidate was vetted by a panel of physician advocates, who considered candidates’ platforms, legislative track records, and more. You will find that our list features a diverse, bipartisan group of voices.
  2. Check your polling location & make your voting plan: Use the link to confirm your polling place, review your voting options, and make a plan for Election Day.
  3. Forward this reminder to your network: vote.health/arma
    One simple reminder can help someone else make a plan to vote, too. Encourage your friends, coworkers, classmates, patients, and community members to double-check where they vote.
  4. Order your Vot-ER badge to help others get vote-ready: Whether you’re in a clinic, classroom, hospital, or community setting, small conversations can make a real impact. Helping someone check their polling location or make a voting plan only takes a minute.

Meet our endorsees. Check your polling place. Make your plan. Show up to vote tomorrow.

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Jul
01

ArMPAC’s 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide

Arizona’s 2026 Primary Election is right around the corner! There is a lot at stake for physicians and their patients in today’s political landscape — that’s why you must be ready to cast your vote on Tuesday, July 21.

The Arizona Medical PAC is here to simplify your voting preparation. Our 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide is the physician community’s best resource for determining which political candidates will create a strong future for healthcare policy.

Every ArMPAC-endorsed candidate was vetted by a panel of physician advocates, who considered candidates’ platforms, legislative track records, and more. You will find that our list features a diverse, bipartisan group of voices, including physicians, teachers, healthcare educators, and more. Together, they can fight for the betterment of medicine in Arizona and work across the aisle to protect patients’ access to high-quality care.

With ArMPAC’s Voter Guide in hand, you’ll feel confident in casting a vote for the future of public health, patient care, and the practice of medicine.

Jump to a Section…

Senate Endorsements

House Endorsements

Voter Registration

About ArMPAC


Endorsements for Congress

Dr. Amish Shah | Arizona Congressional District 1

Dr. Amish Shah, an emergency room physician, served as a representative of Legislative District 5 within the Arizona State Legislature for five years. He has a proven track record of sponsoring legislation that is patient-focused and backed by science. During his time at the legislature, Dr. Shah proudly worked across the aisle and, as a result, he had more bills passed and signed by the Governor than any other Democrat member during his tenure. He is dedicated to collaborating on important issues that impact all Arizonans and is a reliable champion for the healthcare community.

Visit Dr. Shah’s website.


Dr. Zuhdi Jasser | Arizona Congressional District 4

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is an internal medicine physician and United States Navy Veteran dedicated to Arizona’s medical community. In 2007, he served as president of the Arizona Medical Association, and he is also responsible for the founding and chairing of ArMA’s Private Practice Physician Section. Additionally, Dr. Jasser founded and chairs the same section of the American Medical Association. His experience and unique perspective on the obstacles facing private practices in Arizona and beyond make him an excellent candidate for representing the state’s Congressional District 4.

Visit Dr. Jasser’s website.


Endorsements for Arizona’s Senate

Dr. Amelia Gallitano | Legislative District 2

Dr. Amelia Gallitano is a physician, neuroscientist, and professor who has devoted her career to service and improving public health. Her experience training the next generation of physicians and helping establish the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix has given her firsthand insight into the challenges facing both patients and healthcare professionals.

In candidate interviews, Dr. Gallitano has demonstrated a commitment to evidence-based policymaking and understands the importance of ensuring physicians have a voice in legislative decisions that affect patient care. She will bring a much-needed physician voice to the Arizona legislature. 

Visit Dr. Gallitano’s website.


John Kavanagh | Legislative District 3

John Kavanagh is a veteran lawmaker seeking re-election in the Arizona Senate. In past sessions, he has supported critical workforce investments. When it comes to the consideration of important healthcare policies, he is the strongest candidate running for the Senate in Arizona’s Legislative District #3. 

Visit Kavanagh’s website.


Christine Marsh | Legislative District 5

Christine Marsh is a returning name at the Arizona State Capitol. She previously served two terms in the Arizona Senate and is seeking another term representing constituents in Legislative District 5.

In 2016, she was named Arizona Teacher of the Year and traveled to schools around the state, an experience she says informed her political platform. She also previously championed key healthcare bills, including life-saving harm reduction legislation.

Visit Marsh’s website.


Julie Willoughby | Legislative District 13

Julie Willoughby previously served a two-year term in the State House and now seeks election to the Senate. She is an emergency room trauma nurse and a small business owner. The foundation of her platform is that public service should put people before politics.

In previous sessions, she has championed several of ArMA’s priority commercial medical insurance reforms, including nationally recognized House Bill 2175, which prohibited health insurers from using only AI to deny claims and prior authorizations.

Visit Willoughby’s website.


Priya Sundareshan | Legislative District 18

Priya Sundareshan is running for re-election to the Arizona Senate, where she hopes to represent constituents of Legislative District 18. She is an attorney who values evidence-based policymaking and has always respected the expertise of the physician perspective on legislation affecting patient care and the practice of medicine.

Her willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, coupled with her support for policies that improve access to healthcare and strengthen Arizona’s healthcare system, makes her a strong partner for the physician community.

Visit Sundareshan’s website.


Brian Fernandez | Legislative District 23

Brian Fernandez has proven to be one of the most dependable partners for Arizona’s physician community through his advocacy for important healthcare issues. He is seeking re-election to the State Senate in Legislative District 23.

While his work is often done outside the spotlight, he consistently engages with stakeholders, helps navigate complex legislation, and works collaboratively to stop dangerous proposals while advancing our priorities. His willingness to listen, collaborate, and advocate on behalf of Arizona’s healthcare system makes him a trusted ally. 

Visit Fernandez’s website.

Endorsements for Arizona’s House

Selina Bliss | Legislative District 1

Selina Bliss is a nurse, educator, and member of the Arizona State House seeking re-election. First elected in 2022, she has served as a thoughtful Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. 

During her term, she has championed critical insurance reforms alongside the Arizona Medical Association, including this year’s House Bill 2194, which would require health insurers to provide a point of contact who can assist with each claim denial. 

Visit Bliss’ website.


Matt Gress | Legislative District 4

Matt Gress is a strong voice for Arizona physicians at the State Capitol. He consistently commits to discussing key issues with physicians to hear our expertise, concerns, and perspectives.

As a former teacher, school board member, and state budget director,  he has a proven record of pragmatism and results, which is essential for the needs of his district. 

Visit Gress’ website.


Tammy Caputi | Legislative District 4

Tammy Caputi is a dedicated public servant, business professional, and community advocate. She previously served on the Scottsdale City Council for four years. She is deeply committed to practical leadership, stronger communities, and real results for Arizona families. She promises to be a strong advocate for physicians and their patients in the Arizona House.

Visit Caputi’s website.


Aaron Márquez | Legislative District 5

Aaron Márquez is seeking re-election to Legislative District #5 in the Arizona House, where he has served for the past two years. During his tenure, he has consistently voted with ArMA on critical healthcare issues and will continue to be a strong ally in achieving our policy goals in the years to come.

Prior to his time at the Capitol, Rep. Márquez dedicated his life to other forms of public service. He served in two combat tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. He also served on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board.

Visit Márquez’s website.


Sarah Liguori | Legislative District 5

Sarah Liguori is seeking re-election to Legislative District 5 in the Arizona House. As a parent, businesswoman, and physician spouse, Sarah knows that building a better Arizona begins with healthy communities.

She stands behind healthcare at the State Capitol by consistently being the first person to speak up for physicians on the House Floor and in the Health & Human Services Committee. She commits to working with fellow lawmakers to advance initiatives backed by the Arizona Medical Association and our allies. She brings a kind, empathetic, and courageous sense of leadership and always fights for what’s right.

Visit Liguori’s website.


Nancy Gutierrez | Legislative District 18

Nancy Gutierrez is seeking re-election to Legislative District #18 in the Arizona House, where she serves as the Minority Leader of the House. During her tenure, she has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening our health system through policies that invest in healthy communities. 

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has supported strategic investments and shown a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement. Prior to her political career, she was a math teacher in Tucson.

Visit Gutierrez’s website.


Chris Mathis | Legislative District 18

Chris Mathis is seeking re-election to Legislative District #18 in the Arizona House. Throughout his tenure, he has been a steadfast partner for the physician community.

His record reflects an unwavering alignment with the Arizona Medical Association’s advocacy priorities, and we can be confident that he will continue to be a trusted advocate and ally for the health of all Arizonans.

Visit Mathis’ website.


Beverly Pingerelli | Legislative District 28

Beverly Pingerelli has been a hardworking partner on healthcare issues affecting Arizona physicians during her recent term in the Arizona House. Now, she is seeking re-election to represent Legislative District 28.

In 2025, she fought passionately for legislation to allow Anesthesiology Assistants to practice in Arizona.  Her pragmatic approach to policymaking and openness to stakeholder input have made her a valued voice on healthcare policy. 

Visit Pingerelli’s website.


Grace Hecht | Legislative District 30

As a former Bullhead City Council member, Hecht is a dedicated public servant who will prioritize reforms that support Arizona’s rural health systems.  She understands that effective representation for rural healthcare issues requires local insight, practical solutions, and a commitment to addressing the distinct priorities.

Visit Hecht’s website.


Registering to Vote

How to Check Your Registration Status

Primary elections are where huge decisions get made. Turnout is often much lower than in November, which means your vote can carry even more weight in shaping the policies that affect you, our patients, and our communities. 

The voter registration deadline for Arizona’s Primary Election has already passed, but you can take 30 seconds to verify that you are registered to vote at your current address: vote.health/arma

What’s At Stake for Healthcare

There is a lot at stake for physicians and their patients in today’s political landscape. Policies that affect public health priorities, patients’ affordability and access to healthcare, and your profession as a physician are decided on early in our primary election. We cannot afford for healthcare voices to be missing from that process.

Other Ways to Support Civic Engagement

There are other easy ways to support ArMPAC’s mission of connecting voting and health, all while staying nonpartisan. Small actions go a long way in making civic engagement part of everyday care.

  • Download free digital materials to begin helping communities, like your patients, register to vote in upcoming elections
  • Order your own badge to help eligible voters cast their ballots

About ArMPAC

As the bipartisan political arm of the Arizona Medical Association, ArMPAC is here to ensure your voice is heard at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. We do this by supporting healthcare-minded candidates who support you.

Your involvement in this process is key to preventing costly, intrusive, and unnecessary legislation that affects the daily practice of medicine. You can help by exercising your right to vote for candidates with strong healthcare platforms. That’s why we publish ArMPAC’s Voter Guide — your essential resource for casting a healthcare-minded ballot.

Did you find ArMPAC’s Voter Guide helpful? Please consider supporting our mission by making a donation of any amount. Our work is entirely funded by healthcare-minded voters like you. Together, we’re keeping healthcare front-and-center at the Arizona State Capitol!

Thank you for joining ArMPAC in our mission to amplify the physician voice.

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Jun
25

Check Your Voting Registration Status Ahead of Arizona’s Deadline

In recognition of the vital connection between civic participation and community health, the Arizona Medical Political Action Committee (ArMPAC) encourages you to check your voter registration ahead of Arizona’s voter registration deadline for the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, July 21. 

How to Check Your Registration Status

Primary elections are where huge decisions get made. Turnout is often much lower than in November, which means your vote can carry even more weight in shaping the policies that affect you, our patients, and our communities. Take 30 seconds right now to verify that you are registered to vote at your current address: vote.health/arma

What’s At Stake for Healthcare

There is a lot at stake for physicians and their patients in today’s political landscape. Policies that affect public health priorities, patients’ affordability and access to healthcare, and your profession as a physician are decided on early in our primary election. We cannot afford for healthcare voices to be missing from that process.

Other Ways to Support Civic Engagement

There are other easy ways to support ArMPAC’s mission of connecting voting and health, all while staying nonpartisan. Small actions go a long way in making civic engagement part of everyday care.

  • Download free digital materials to begin helping communities, like your patients, register to vote in upcoming elections
  • Order your own badge to help eligible voters cast their ballots

Let’s build a healthier democracy, together.

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Jun
23

Arizona’s 2026 Governor’s Race Takes Shape as Hobbs Launches Multimillion-Dollar Ad Campaign

Governor Hobbs Makes Aggressive Start to Re-election Campaign Amid Competitive Year

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has kicked off her re-election bid with a multimillion-dollar advertising push, signaling an early and aggressive start to what is expected to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the country.

What the Ads Say

The television, radio, and digital campaign highlights Hobbs’ working-class background — including stints in fast food, driving for Uber, and working as a social worker before entering public office. The ads also emphasize her policy agenda focused on lowering costs for Arizona families, including housing, utilities, and prescription drugs.

The Political Landscape

Hobbs’ team says the campaign is designed to reinforce her commitment to working families and bipartisan solutions. Republicans, however, are pushing back — questioning her record on inflation, housing, and state spending.

Why Arizona Is in the Spotlight

The early ad buy reflects Arizona’s continued rise as a national political battleground. Both parties are expected to invest heavily in the governor’s race over the coming year, making it a key contest heading into 2026.

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Jun
12

Arizona’s $18.3 Billion Budget: What Physicians Need to Know

Governor Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Budget, Preserves GME Funding as Legislature Adjourns

After months of contentious negotiations, Governor Katie Hobbs and Republican legislative leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on an $18.3 billion state budget. Both chambers passed the package with strong bipartisan support last Thursday. The legislature then adjourned sine die on Saturday after debates over outstanding items bled into the early morning. Hobbs signed the budget into law that same day.

The final budget includes significant tax cuts and spending restraints alongside targeted healthcare investments. The budget also provides funding for senior services, food assistance programs, and civil legal aid aimed at preventing evictions. 

Several governor-proposed priorities — including new revenue measures and expanded community assistance programs — did not survive negotiations. Legislative leaders from both parties characterized the agreement as imperfect but preferable to earlier proposals that would have imposed deeper cuts across state agencies.

The Arizona Medical Association’s Advocacy Team represented the physician community’s interests throughout the months-long budget debate, most notably lobbying for the preservation of critical graduate medical education funding, which was at risk of being swept. 

Learn more about the budget and what it means for physicians on ArMA’s website.

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Apr
30

Rep. David Marshall Resigns; Sylvia Allen Appointed to Arizona House District 7

Rep. David Marshall Resigns; Sylvia Allen Appointed to Arizona House District 7

A former Arizona lawmaker is returning to the state Capitol after being selected to fill a vacancy in Legislative District 7.

How the Vacancy Came About

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors appointed Sylvia Allen, a Republican and former state senator, to replace Rep. David Marshall, who resigned his Arizona House seat in April to become the county’s recorder.

Allen’s Background and What Comes Next

Allen, who previously served in the Legislature for several years and chaired the Senate Education Committee, was sworn in Wednesday. She will represent the largely rural district through the remainder of the term, which ends in January.

In her remarks at the Capitol, Allen said she was eager to return to public service and represent rural Arizona, calling it a place she deeply values.

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Nov
05

Arizona’s 2024 Election Results: How Healthcare is Faring in the Race

Last Updated: 9:05AM MST, November 8

With polling locations now closed, the results of Arizona’s 2024 General Election are rolling in as election workers tally the vote.

How is healthcare faring at the polls? The Arizona Medical Political Action Committee has its finger on the pulse. While a final tally is expected to take up to 13 days, ArMPAC is providing frequent updates on how physician-endorsed candidates are performing in federal and local races.

Here’s a breakdown of certain election results and the outcomes for ArMPAC-supported candidates:

  • How This Election Differs
  • Presidential Election Results
  • ArMPAC-Supported Candidate Results
  • U.S. Congressional Race
  • Arizona State Senate
  • Arizona State House of Representatives
  • Other Races to Watch
  • Ballot Propositions

How This Election Differs

Voter Turnout
As of Wednesday, November 6, at 8:56AM MST, Arizona’s 2024 General Election has a 51.55% voter turnout rate. There are 4,367,593 registered voters in Arizona eligible to vote in this election. A total of 2,251,526 ballots have been cast. A majority of Arizona voters cast their ballots by mail in this year’s race.

Notably, Arizona’s 2024 Primary Election drew a significantly smaller voter turnout than in previous years, with only 30% of eligible voters participating.


Presidential Election Results

Arizona is receiving national attention as a key battleground state in the presidential race. With a few states still reporting, including Arizona, the latest national results as of Wednesday, November 6, at 8:32AM MST are:

CALLED | Vice-president Kamala Harris v. Former President Donald Trump – U.S. President

  • RESULT: The Associated Press has called this race in favor of Trump, who currently leads the vote 51.1% to 47.5% with a margin of 53 electoral votes.
  • In Arizona, Trump is maintaining the lead 51.9% to 47.2%, with 61% of votes being reported.

View the latest results from the Associated Press.


ArMPAC-Supported Candidate Results

ArMPAC endorsed a range of candidates committed to the House of Medicine. From Congressional to State Legislative races, our endorsees have worked across the aisle to improve healthcare access, advocate for patient-focused legislation, and support Arizona’s medical community.

Here’s how they are performing in the election:


U.S. Congressional Race

NOT CALLED | Amish Shah, MD – Congressional District 1

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsee and ArMA member Dr. Amish Shah is trailing behind David Schweikert 48.1% to 51.9% by a margin of roughly 16,649 votes.
  • Dr. Shah is a strong voice for patient-centered healthcare, advocating for science-backed policies at the Arizona State Legislature. His experience as a physician would bring a valuable perspective to Congress as a representative of Arizonans.

Arizona State Senate

NOT CALLED | Senator Christine Marsh – Legislative District 4

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Christine Marsh is behind Carine Werner by 5,326 votes.
  • Senator Marsh has long been a defender of the physician-patient relationship, ensuring quality care and accessible healthcare for Arizonans.

NOT CALLED | Senator Denise “Mitzi” Epstein – Legislative District 12

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Mitzi Epstein leads Cara Vicini 58.1% to 41.9% by 19,426 votes.
  • A consistent advocate for physicians, Senator Epstein has shown a strong commitment to protecting the medical field’s integrity at the Capitol.

CALLED | Senator Priya Sundareshan – Legislative District 18

  • Result: Uncontested Winner
  • The uncontested winner of LD18’s Senate seat, Sundareshan will continue her advocacy for physicians and healthcare reform in Arizona.

NOT CALLED | Senator Brian Fernandez – Legislative District 23

  • Result: ArMPAC endorsed Brian Fernandez leads Michelle Altherr 51.8% to 48.2% by 2,371 votes.
  • Representing rural Arizona, Senator Fernandez has been a champion of healthcare policy tailored to Arizona’s unique needs.

Arizona State House of Representatives

NOT CALLED | Representative Matt Gress – Legislative District 4

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Matt Gress is leading in LD4’s House race with 74,629 votes.
  • With a background in education and budget management, Rep. Gress has supported healthcare initiatives that improve access for all Arizonans.

NOT CALLED | Representative Sarah Liguori – Legislative District 5

  • Result: ArMPAC endorsee Sarah Ligouri is winning with 40.56% of the vote.
  • Known for her strong stance on healthcare equity, Rep. Liguori has been an unwavering advocate for physicians on the House Health & Human Services Committee.

NOT CALLED | Janeen Connolly – Legislative District 8

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Janeen Connolly is winning with 35.08% of the vote.
  • Connolly is committed to patient-focused healthcare. One of her main policy focuses is improving workforce training programs, including for healthcare professionals here in Arizona. 

NOT CALLED | Representative Seth Blattman – Legislative District 9

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Seth Blattman is holding second place, with 24.96% of the vote for one of LD9’s two seats in the House.
  • A steadfast ally of the medical community, Rep. Blattman is committed to improving Arizona’s healthcare rankings and patient care.

NOT CALLED | Representative Lorena Austin – Legislative District 9

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Lorena Austin is maintaining the lead at 26.46% of the vote.
  • Rep. Austin has been an advocate for affordable healthcare, ensuring patients receive the care they deserve.

NOT CALLED | Representative Julie Willoughby – Legislative District 13

  • Result: ArMPAC endorsee Julie Willoughby is trailing behind Jeff Weninger at 25.69%.
  • As a trauma nurse, Rep. Willoughby has brought hands-on healthcare experience to the legislature, championing reforms for patient insurance.

NOT CALLED | Representative Chris Mathis – Legislative District 18

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Chris Mathis is trailing second with 36.24% of the vote for one of LD18’s two seats in the Arizona House.
  • With a healthcare law background, Rep. Mathis is a valuable asset to Arizona’s healthcare policy landscape.

CALLED | Representative Alma Hernandez – Legislative District 20

  • Result: Uncontested Winner
  • The winner of LD20’s uncontested race for a seat in the House, Hernandez will continue her legacy of working tirelessly on policies impacting physicians and their patients.

NOT CALLED | Representative Quantá Crews – Legislative District 26

  • Result: ArMPAC endorsee Quanta Crews is trailing second in the race at 30.97% of the vote for one of LD26’s two seats in the Arizona House.
  • Rep. Crews is a community-centered representative, focusing on equitable healthcare policy and workforce development.

NOT CALLED | Representative Beverly Pingerelli – Legislative District 28

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsed Beverly Pingerelli is ahead at 37.78% of counted votes.
  • With her scientific background, Rep. Pingerelli has been instrumental in healthcare legislation, supporting Arizona’s medical community.

NOT CALLED | Representative Steve Montenegro – Legislative District 29

  • Result: ArMPAC-endorsee Steve Montenegro is winning with 30.28% of the vote.
  • As Chair of the House Health & Human Services Committee, Rep. Montenegro has championed bills with patient-focused reforms.

ArMPAC congratulates all our endorsed candidates on their achievement in running for public office. We look forward to championing physicians and their patients alongside our newly-elected legislative officials during the 2025 Legislative Session and beyond!


Other Races to Watch

NOT CALLED | Shawnna Bolick vs Judy Schwiebert – Legislative District 2 for Senate

  • Result: Shawnna Bolick is leading Judy Schweibert 50.9% to 47.1% by a margin of 3,802 votes.

NOT CALLED | Teresa Martinez v Chris Lopez v Keith Seaman – Legislative District 16 for House

  • Result: Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez leading the vote at 36.48% and 33.28%, respectively.

NOT CALLED | Ruben Gallego vs Kari Lake – AZ US Senate

  • Result: Rep. Ruben Gallego leads Kari Lake 49.8% to 48.1% with a margin of 43,830 votes.

NOT CALLED | Eli Crane vs Jonathan Nez – Congressional District 2

  • Result: Eli Crane winning with 53.6% of the vote, leading by 24,111 votes.

NOT CALLED | Tim Stringham vs Justin Heap – Maricopa County Recorder

  • Result: Justin Heap is leading the vote at 51.8% of the vote, a margin of 3.6%.

Ballot Propositions

NOT CALLED | Proposition 139 – Right to Abortion Initiative (2024)

  • Result: As of Wednesday, November 7, at 12:00pM MST, 61.25% of counted votes are in favor of passing Proposition 139.

ArMPAC is grateful to voters for supporting candidates who stand by Arizona’s healthcare community. As ballots are counted throughout the night and into the coming days, we will inform you of developments in key races throughout the state.

Recounts in the state of Arizona are triggered automatically if the victor is winning by 0.5% or less of the votes. To learn more about how elections work in our state, click here for ArMPAC’s Election 101 Guide.

Interested in supporting ArMPAC’s mission? Consider donating or joining our efforts to advocate for Arizona’s physicians and patients.

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Nov
04

Election 101: From Counting Ballots to Calling Races

Understanding election night procedures is incredibly important when tracking races and results. We understand this may feel complicated, so here is a quick guide:

Types of Early Ballots

Arizona offers multiple ways to vote early:

Mail-in early ballots: Voters request these ballots by mail. They must be received by the county election office by 7pm on election day to be counted.

In-person early ballots: These can be cast at early voting centers up to 27 days before election day. To find your nearest in-person early voting location, click here.

Drop-off early ballots: Voters can also return their mail-in ballots to secure drop boxes located at early voting centers and other designated sites. If you have yet to send in your mail-in ballot, make sure to drop it off instead of putting it in the mail to ensure it is collected in time to be counted. Find a drop-off location here!

How Ballots are Counted

Ballots are counted in several stages:

Early Ballots: Each mail-in or drop-off ballot goes through a signature verification process. Once verified, ballots are separated from the envelopes and counted, keeping voter information confidential.

Election Day Ballots: These are counted after polls close and added to already existing early ballot totals.

Provisional Ballots: If there’s a question about a voter’s eligibility, they complete a provisional ballot. These ballots are individually reviewed and only counted if eligibility is confirmed.

You can track your ballot through the Secretary of State’s office! Click here to check on your ballot.

Why are some results called early?

Media outlets often call elections when trends in the counted ballots make it highly unlikely for the trailing candidate to win. This isn’t an official result, but rather a statistical assessment based on counted votes and expected remaining ballots.

Why it can be right: Early calling can help convey expected outcomes, especially in cases where remaining ballots are from areas that consistently lean towards one candidate or party.

Why it can be wrong: Unexpected surges in late-counted ballots, especially from mail-ins or provisional ballots, can shift outcomes, especially in close races.

How Recounts Work in Arizona

Arizona has strict recount procedures:

Automatic Recounts: A recount is triggered only if the margin between candidates is 0.5% or less.

Requested Recounts: Arizona doesn’t allow candidates or voters to request recounts outside of the automatic margin. Candidates can, however, legally challenge results if there is evidence of ballot integrity issues.

Current Early Voter Turnout in Arizona

Arizona has just under 4.4 million registered voters across the state. This is broken into almost 1.3 million Democrats, roughly 1.5 million Republicans, and roughly 1.5 million designated as “other” (third party, independent, party undeclared).

For the 2024 election cycle, Arizona saw over 3.4 million mail-in ballots requested. To date, over 1.8 million of these ballots have been returned. This is roughly a 42% voter turnout a week prior to the election. Broken down by party, 34% of Democratic ballots, 41% of Republican ballots, and 25% of “other” ballots have been returned.

Currently, Democrats have a slightly higher turnout than Republicans at 49% and 48% respectively. The “other” category has a 35% turnout rate.

For comparison, for the 2020 Presidential election, Arizona had just shy of 4.3 million registered voters with an 80% voter turnout rate. With higher voter turnouts around Presidential elections and record numbers of ballots already returned, Arizona is on track to match or even beat previous voter turnout.

Certification Process

Results are certified a few weeks post-Election Day, once all ballots, including provisional and early votes, are counted. If a recount is needed, it is completed before certification.

ArMPAC released a general election guide, showcasing our endorsed candidates. This guide highlights bipartisan candidates from across the state. ArMA’s advocacy team will be watching the election diligently and will keep you up to date on all the action.

If you have not yet done so, remember to vote by either dropping off your ballot, early voting in-person, or voting in-person day of.

Your voice and your vote matter!

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