Patagonia Regional Times reporter Harold Meckler reached out to Santa Cruz County Clerk of the Board/Elections Director Alma Schultz, asking her to detail the processes that ensure safe and valid elections. All responses are Ms. Schultz’s and are unedited.
How is it determined that all who wish to vote are eligible to do so in our county?
Residents can register to vote in Arizona online, by mail, or in person. To qualify, a person must be a U.S. citizen, an Arizona resident, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not disqualified due to a felony conviction without restored rights or a court ruling of incapacity. Our county follows the 2025 Elections Procedures Manual to ensure these requirements are met. Anyone with questions or needing help registering should contact the County Recorder’s office at 520-375-7990.
How is the registered voter list kept up to date?
The voter list is kept up to date by the County Recorder, who follows the 2025 Elections Procedures Manual to routinely update records when voters register, move, or become ineligible. These ongoing updates ensure the list stays accurate.
How are mail-in ballots determined to be valid once submitted through the mail or by drop-off?
The Recorder’s Office oversees the process for mail‑in ballots, also known as early ballots, whether they are mailed or dropped off. Once the ballots are received, the signature on the affidavit envelope is compared to the voter’s signature on file, following the procedures outlined in the 2025 Arizona Elections Procedures Manual and Arizona Revised Statutes. If the signature matches, the ballot is accepted; if it does not, Recorder’s staff will contact the voter to give them an opportunity to cure their early ballot, as required by A.R.S. § 16‑550. This cure period allows voters to resolve missing or mismatched signatures so their ballot can be verified. Only ballots with signatures that are verified or successfully cured move forward to tabulation.
How are ballots submitted on election day at voting sites kept secure?
Ballots submitted on Election Day are protected through several safeguards. Before voting begins, poll workers open, show and lock each ballot box in front of those present, as required by A.R.S. §16‑564. The box stays locked throughout the day, with only the slot available for depositing ballots. After the polls close, poll workers seal the slot of the ballot box and record the seal number. Poll workers then transport the ballots using documented chain‑of‑custody procedures outlined in A.R.S. §16‑621. Our county follows the procedures outlined in the 2025 Elections Procedures Manual to ensure ballots remain secure and properly accounted for from the moment they are cast until they are delivered for tabulation.
Is it possible for the votes of any one race to be manipulated while the rest of the ballot remains secure?
No. All races on the ballot are protected by the same secure processes and audits, ensuring every contest is handled with equal oversight. You can feel confident that every vote is counted accurately.
General Election key dates
Sept. 19: Ballots mailed to uniformed and overseas votes
Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote
Oct. 7: Early ballots mailed, early voting begins
Oct. 23: Last day to request a mail ballot
Oct. 27: Deadline to return early ballot by mail
Oct. 30: Last day to vote early in person
Nov. 3: Election Day, early ballot dropoff until 7 p.m.
Early voting schedule and locations
Oct. 7-29, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Santa Cruz County Complex, 2150 N. Congress Drive, Suite 114, Nogales
Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-noon: Tubac Community Center, 50 Bridge Road
Oct. 17, 2-5 p.m.: Gabilondo-Zehentner Centennial County Service Center, 275 Rio Rico Drive, Rio Rico
Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-noon: Sonoita Library/County Complex, 3147 Highway 83
Oct. 24, 2-5 p.m.: Cady Hall, 346 Duquesne Ave., Patagonia
Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.: Last day for early in-person voting, Santa Cruz County Complex, 2150 N. Congress Drive, Suite 114, Nogales
Official ballot drop box locations
Santa Cruz County Complex, 2150 N. Congress Drive, Nogales
Nogales City Hall, 777 N. Grand Ave., Nogales
Nogales Public Library, 518 N. Grand Ave., Nogales
Patagonia Town Hall, 310 McKeown Ave., Patagonia
Sonoita Library/County Comples, 3147 Highway 83, Sonoita
Gabilondo-Zehentner Centennial County Service Center, 275 Rio Rico Drive, Rio Rico
El Ranchito Market, 7 Avenida Pastor, Rio Rico
Tubac Community Center, 50 Bridge Road, Tubac
More information: https://santacruzcountyaz.gov/986/Voter-Information