Here’s how to register to vote in the primary

It is hard to miss news about the candidates in the Democratic presidential primary, but Arizonans who want to cast a ballot in the race need to pay close attention on how to vote. And they may need to act in the next few weeks.

Only those who are registered as Democrats will be eligible to participate in the state's presidential preference election, or PPE, on March 17.

It's like a primary election but only for president. Independent voters and voters who are registered as members of other parties cannot participate.

Republicans won't have a primary election. The state Republican Party is expected to nominate incumbent President Donald Trump without holding a PPE.

Voters who want to vote for one of the Democratic presidential candidates participating in Arizona face an approaching deadline on Feb. 18 to either register or update their registration.

Here’s what you need to know:

When is the Arizona presidential primary election?

The primary election for Democratic presidential candidates in Arizona is Tuesday, March 17. Here are other important dates:

❚ Deadline to register to vote: Feb. 18 ❚ Early voting begins: Feb. 19

❚ Last day to request a ballot by mail: March 6

❚ Mail ballots by: March 11

❚ Last day to vote early in person: March 13

What is a presidential primary election?

In a presidential primary election, voters choose a presidential nominee for their respective political party. It is like a primary election but only for president. The Democratic Party is the only party holding a presidential preference election in Arizona this year.

Who can vote in the presidential primary election?

Only voters who are registered as Democrats can vote in the 2020 presidential preference election. Independent voters – that is, voters who did not select a party on their registration form – cannot vote. Republicans and voters who are registered as supporting other parties cannot vote, either.

All voters must be 18 years old, citizens of the United States and must have lived in Arizona for at least 29 days before the election. Felons are not eligible to vote in Arizona unless their civil rights have been restored.

Voters who are younger than 18 years old at the time of the election cannot vote but can still register if they will be 18 by the time of the general election on Nov. 3.

How to register to vote in Arizona

Arizonans can register to vote or update their registration at ServiceArizona.com.

To cast a full ballot in Arizona, voters are required to provide proof of citizenship. This can include a driver's license number entered on the voter registration form.

Or, a voter can submit a copy of certain documents, such as a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers or tribal enrollment number.

If a voter does not verify their citizenship, they can still vote for federal candidates, such as candidates for president and Congress.

They won't get to vote for state candidates, such as members of the Legislature, but those offices won't be on the March ballot.

Residents of Maricopa County can look up their voter registration at Maricopa.vote.

How to vote by mail in Arizona

Voters can request a mail ballot from their county recorder. The last day to request a ballot by mail is March 6.

Voters should return their ballots in the mail by Wednesday, March 11, to ensure it arrives in time. Maricopa County residents can join the Permanent Early Voting List and receive a ballot in the mail by visiting Maricopa.vote. Voters do not need to submit identification to get a mail ballot.