Primary election logistics similar to last year

Residents can vote at nine locations countywide

Tuesday’s primary election will have some close races to watch late into the night, but the logistics of voting will be the same as last year, and pretty easy to figure out.

Federal, state, county and municipal races will be on the ballot, and many have already been sent in — historically, a majority of Yuma County voters have used the early ballot option.

Those casting their vote Tuesday, plus early voters who need to drop their ballots off, have nine vote centers countywide to choose from. They are no longer required to report to a specific precinct location.

Early ballots can also be dropped off at the County Recorder’s Office, 192 S. Maiden Lane, through 7 p.m. Tuesday, the same time the vote centers will close.

Delays at some vote centers during the presidential election two years ago prompted county officials to buy about $565,000 in new equipment, including touch-screen tablets in voting booths and electronic ballot boxes that tell voters whether their vote has been counted or some kind of issue has come up.

Next week’s primary elections will determine the nominees who will go on to the Nov. 6 general election, either for a political party or, in the case of nonpartisan municipal elections, which if any can-

didates will advance to a runoff race.

Federal primary races for one of Arizona’s U.S. Senate seats and the two congressional districts splitting Yuma, Districts 3 and 4, will top the ballot. All statewide offices will be in play, including governor, secretary of state, attorney general and superintendent of public instruction.

GOP races in the state Legislature primaries for both the Senate and House in District 13 (northern Yuma County) are being closely watched here, as voters await the fates of two local candidates, appointed Rep. Tim Dunn in the House and expelled former Rep. Don Shooter in the Senate.

San Luis, Somerton and Wellton will all hold city or town council primaries, and Wellton voters will also have a say in whether the town should be able to sell the Coyote Wash Golf Course.

At the county level, most elected offices connected to the court system will be on the ballot: Clerk of the superior court, judicial divisions 2, 3, 5 and 6, justices of the peace no. 1-3 and constables no. 1-3.

For more election information, visit www.yumacountyaz.gov or call Yuma County Election Services at (928) 373-1014.