An introvert’s guide to the 2024 election in Arizona

It’s easy to vote by mail in Arizona—which means no social interaction. 

Election Day tends to bring to mind busy polling locations with voices buzzing inside and lots of people waiting in line outside. 

But what if I told you you can vote without speaking to a single soul? If that sounds like bliss to you, here are some tips for voting in this year’s general election on Nov. 5 with minimal social interaction. Make sure you’re registered to vote by Oct. 7 so you can take advantage of these options for voting—you can register online without having to talk to anybody. 

Voting by mail

First off, you can vote by mail. In Arizona, this is easy to do—you don’t have to provide a reason or prove that you’ll be out of town. Simply preferring to vote by mail is reason enough.

You can either sign up for the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) to receive all ballots by mail for future elections or request a one-time ballot by mail. 

To register as a vote-by-mail or one-time absentee voter, you have several options: 

• AEVL applications can be submitted for both the AEVL and for one-time requests. If you have a valid Arizona ID, sign up for the AEVL using this online form.
  • Alternatively, print and complete the AEVL request form and return it by mail, fax, or email to your local county recorder’s office. You must sign up by Oct. 25.

• One-time applications: Request your one-time ballot-by-mail online by filling out this form. You can also call your local county recorder’s office and request a ballot-by-mail by providing your name, address, date of birth, and other identifying info.
  • Another option is to fill out and return a printable request form or simply email your local county recorder’s office, then respond with requested personal information. You must sign up for your one-time ballot-by-mail by Oct. 25.

Don’t know who your local county recorder is? Find that info here. 

To submit your completed mail-in ballot, return it by mail to your local county recorder’s office or place it in a designated dropbox.

The postal service recommends putting your ballot in the mail at least seven days before the election, so get your ballot in the mail as soon as possible. Postage is prepaid, so you don’t  need to add a stamp. 

Ballots must be received by the county recorder’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. There you have it—voting with zero social contact!

In-person voting

If you’d rather vote in person, there are still ways you can minimize being around other people. 

Early voting in Arizona begins on Oct. 9 and ends Nov. 1. You can find the closest voting location to you and its hours here. 

If you can’t vote until Election Day, think about the voting center like a grocery store or a gym. It will likely be busiest when people are stopping by before work, taking a lunch break, or dropping by on their way home. Late morning or early afternoon may be the best sweet spot for a dip in traffic. 

While voting early or at off-peak times may reduce the number of people you might have to interact with, you’ll still have to check in with election workers and provide a form of ID. 

Once you provide ID and receive your ballot, you’ll be left alone to vote. You can take as much time as you need in a private voting booth to make your selections. Once you’re finished, you turn in your ballot, and you can go back to being a homebody.

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.