Photos: 2020 Primary Election in Pima and Maricopa counties
2020 Primary Election votingÌýat polls in precincts throughout Pima and Maricopa countiesÌýfor several federal and local offices.
Primary Election in Pima County
An elections worker looks over a few of the early primary ballots at one of the scanning stations during counting at the Pima County Elections Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A pair of elections workers look over an early primary ballot as part of the counting process at the Pima County Elections Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Elections workers feed primary ballots in to scanners at the Pima County Elections Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker waits inside the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Brad Nelson, left, Pima County elections director, helps Lisa Matthews, Pima County election marshal, put up a “Welcome Voters†sign after it was blown down outside of the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
After voting, a voter walks back to their car at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voter walks by a polling sign outside the Armory Park Center located at 220 S 5th Avenue during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Voters enter the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Estates Multi-Purpose Hall located at 5900 W Western Way Circle, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Gilbert Silva walks through the parking lot of the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road to cast his vote during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker (right) takes a completed ballot from a voter at the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
After placing their vote, a voter starts to place their "I Voted" sticker on their shirt as they leave the Pima County voting site at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker wearing a face shield, mask and gloves walks outside to check if anyone needs assistance at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voters arrives at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz to drop off their voting ballot on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voter leaves the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020. Photo by Rebecca Sasnett / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Primary Election in Maricopa County
A portrait of Ashlee King after she voted, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado polling place, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Anita Cota-Soto washes her hands before voting, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe. Cota-Soto is a Town of Guadalupe councilmember running for re-election.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voting marshal Gerry Lamanski checks his watch before announcing the polls are open, August 4, 2020, at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
People vote on Election Day at Nueva Vida Church in Scottsdale on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic candidates for the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
A voter wearing a face covering exits a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates, as a polling station workers opens the door for voters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Josh Galemore
Photojournalist
Rebecca Sasnett
Photojournalist
A wealthy Maricopa County judge would make it almost impossible for the people of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to exercise their rights under the state constitution to pass an intiative. That's exactly what the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other members of the state's elite want.Ìý
In fact, from now on every Aug. 4 will be designated "Great American Outdoors Day," and entrance to wildlife refuges will be free.
°Õ³ó±ðÌýÌýhas opened an inquiry into whether three ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ attorneys committed violations by seeking evictions against people living in federally-subsidized housing, or rental housing with federally-backed mortgages.
Laura Conover, who campaigned as an outsider and reformer, will become Pima County's top prosecutor, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s first new one in more than two decades.
Winners will advance to the general election in November.
Incumbents are leading in their primary races for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ House in the southeastern counties of Pima and Santa Cruz, as early vote tallies are released.Ìý
Incomplete vote tallies show Suzanne Droubie leading with 58% of the vote against two opponents, Brian Johnson and Dustin Walters, in the Democratic primary for Pima County assessor.
As of Tuesday at 9:00 p.m., early results show that Christy holds a significant lead in the Republican primary vote.
The constable seats for Precinct 6 and Precinct 9 are decided by the primary race unless write-in candidates emerge for the November general election.
As of Tuesday at 9 p.m., early results showed that Grijalva holds over 66% of the primary votes.
As of Tuesday at 8:50 p.m., early results show that Bronson holds 59% of the primary vote.Ìý
In incomplete vote tallies Tuesday night, Gabriella Cázares-Kelly is leading with 62% of the vote against Kim Challender in the Democratic Party primary race for Pima County recorder.
As of Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., early results show that Matt Heinz holds more than 54% of the primary vote so far.
As expected, the two well-financed U.S. Senate candidates in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ officially advanced to the general election Tuesday with landslide victories in afterthought primary contests. Their race is one of the most closely watched in the nation.
Chris Nanos had collected about 65 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, results showed Wednesday morning. Incumbent Napier was unopposed in the Republican primary.
Democrat Chris Nanos was serving as Pima County Sheriff in 2016 when he lost the post to Republican Mark Napier.
GabriellaÌýCázares-Kelly, the democratic candidate, is concerned about voter suppression and disenfranchisement while Republican Benny White has his sights set on improving the system for U.S. citizens and updating election laws.
Laura Conover becomes next county attorney since she has no opposition in the November general election.
Incumbent state representatives for Pima and Santa Cruz counties won big in Tuesday’s primary election.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Corporation Commission member hopes Republican candidates will support mission of requiring electric companies to compete for business.
All five seats on county board up for grabs in November.
Incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick easily won her primary race Tuesday.
Sprawling congressional district includes a portion of northern Pima County.
The shift comes amid a years-long decline in marijuana smuggling along ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s border with Mexico, as well as recent travel restrictions related to the coronavirus that cut down on the legitimate traffic that allows smugglers to sneak contraband through ports of entry.
Anyone with a sewing machine — and the will to use it — can join Aviva Children’s Services for its 22nd Annual Bags for Kids Sew-A-Thon, which is now a virtual event.
Dr. Cara Christ says ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has kept fitness centers closed despite recommendations that they could open with certain precautions.
Weekly awards for good deeds in our community.
Volunteers needed to help with shelter operations, and in caring for the health of people in those shelters.
Federal regulators have agreed to reconsider the Sonoran Desert tortoise for endangered species protection, after environmentalists sued over a 2015 decision not to list the reptile.
Gov. Doug Ducey's meeting with President Trump on Wednesday came as both are seeking to write a new narrative about their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor is arguing that forcing ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to let fitness centers reopen before he and health officials believe it is appropriate could result in "death, serious physical illness, and a lack of hospital beds.''
The assessor's office is responsible for determining property tax amounts and which properties receive tax exemptions.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s top election official, a Democrat, wants an investigation into whether Republican President Trump and his administration are conspiring to violate a state law making it a crime to knowingly delay delivery of a ballot.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ voters will get to decide in the November election whether they want to increase taxes on the most wealthy to help fund K-12 education, high court rules.
After ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Secretary of State Katie HobbsÌýclaimed that President Trump and his administration are conspiring to undermine the timely delivery of ballots in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, the Attorney General's office dismissed the concerns, instead saying that the state's election chief was undermining the integrity of elections with misinformation.
Also: There is a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ connection to the criminal indictment linked to the “We Build The Wall†fundraiser.
For years ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has maintained thatÌýall elections in the state must be conducted in even-numbered years, and only on dates spelled out by the state Legislature.
The Attorney General's Office is sending a warning letter to a firm in Washington state that is offering to provide what amounts to illegal "ballot harvesting'' in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Petition circulators for Kanye West are trying to conceal what they're doing as they work the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area for at least $8 per signature. West is trying to get on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s ballot as an independent candidate for president.Ìý
The Pascua Yaqui tribe lobbies for a closer early voting site and Kayne West submits a pile of signatures to get on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s ballot.
Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez is asking the public for help in making sure all who need to register to vote or get a ballot while in assisted living facilities, nursing homes or hospitals does so.
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Supreme Court upheld a trial judge's decision, ruling Tuesday that West's nominating petitions were invalid.
However, justices allowed a lawmaker married to a fellow justice to stay in race for the upcoming election.
A recent ruling giving voters who forgot to sign their ballots up to five days after the election to "cure" the problem is wrong, legal filings say.
Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani criticizes former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥an who now heads city's public school system.
Political experts weigh in on how the Senate race between Martha McSally and Mark Kelly might impact the fight to fill out the Supreme Court and vice versa.
The fate of a voting rights lawsuit in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ could depend on whether a federal judge believes current practices discriminate against Native Americans in particular or simply rural residents in general.
The proposition would allow Pima Community College more flexibility in how it spends taxpayer dollars it has already received, organizers said.Ìý
The FBI also is calling on the public to help provide tips of what may constitute illegal activities.
Biden, Trump endorse CD2 candidates.
Two groups want more time to sign up ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ voters for this election, saying the pandemic interfered with the process — and has resulted in far fewer new voters signed up than in the last presidential election year of 2016.
The deadline for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ns to register to vote in the general election is Monday, Oct. 5. Find information about voting in this article.
Monday, Oct. 5 was ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election — until late that night, when a federal judge postponed the deadline till Oct. 23. COVID-19 interfered with face-to-face signups of new voters, he ruled. The secretary of state said she won't appeal.
The current deadline to fix, or "cure," unsigned ballots is "reasonable," the three-judge panel said.
OPINION: "Mark KellyÌýis the best choice to serve ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in this election," the Star's Editorial Board writes.ÌýThe Editorial Board and the Star’s news reporters and editors operate independently of each other.
OPINION: "In an often contentious and combative contest, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ endorses Sheriff Mark Napier to continue in the role of Pima County Sheriff," the Editorial Board writes.ÌýThe Editorial Board and news reporters operate independently of each other.
OPINION: "InÌýthe race to replace the retiring F. Ann Rodriguez, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ endorses Gabriella Cázares-Kelly to be Pima County’s next county recorder," the Editorial Board writes.ÌýThe Editorial Board and news reporters operate independently of each other.
OPINION: The Editorial Board's picks for Congressional Districts include Tom O'Halleran, Ann Kirkpatrick andÌýRaúl Grijalva.ÌýThe Editorial Board and the Star’s news reporters and editors operate independently of each other.
OPINION: The Editorial Board's picks for the Pima County Board of Supervisors include Rex Scott, Matt Heinz, Sharon Bronson, Steve Diamond and Adelita Grijalva.ÌýThe Editorial Board and the Star’s news reporters and editors operate independently of each other.
OPINION: The Star's Editorial Board endorses Dr. Ravi Grivois-Shah,ÌýAdam Ragan and Natalie Luna Rose to be the next ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District Governing Board members.ÌýThe Editorial Board and the Star’s news reporters operate independently of each other.
Pima County's early voters are turning out in significantly bigger numbers than in 2016. Also: Two top debate coaches were unimpressed by McSally-Kelly debate; and an SNL cast member sings her way into ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ politics.Ìý
Candidates running for the Amphitheater School District Governing board talk COVID-19, education funding, teacher retention and academic achievement.Ìý
Democrats Joe Biden and Mark Kelly hold large leads in left-leaning Pima County, according to a new ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ poll of more than 3,700 respondents.
Republican and Democrats vying for three of seats on the five-member ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Corporation Commission differ on goals for cleaner energy.
Democrat Steve Diamond is looking to unseat incumbent Steve Christy in the district that stretches across eastern Pima County, including parts of Green Valley, Vail, Sahuarita and Mt. Lemmon.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ns who aren't yet registered but want to vote in this election have only through Thursday, Oct. 15, to sign up. Late Tuesday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a federal judge acted illegally when he extended ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s voter registration deadline to Oct. 23.
“I’ve never seen early ballot numbers like this,†said F. Ann Rodriguez, Pima County's recorder.Ìý
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Senate race is now the state’s most expensive campaign, with the latest Federal Election Commission filings showing the two candidates have pulled in a staggering $133.7 million so far.
The Marana City Council voted Tuesday to authorize a separation agreement for Jamsheed Mehta, who has served as the town manager since February 2018.
Trial judges cannot keep voter-proposed initiatives off the ballot just because the description doesn't mention every provision, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s high court ruled Monday.
OPINION: "In an often contentious and combative contest, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ endorses Sheriff Mark Napier to continue in the role of Pima County Sheriff," the Editorial Board writes.ÌýThe Editorial Board and news reporters operate independently of each other.
Gabriella Cázares-Kelly will take office MondayÌýas the first Native American elected to a Pima County office, according to County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.ÌýShe is prioritizing accessibility and visibility.Ìý
The on-site inspector reviewed the sign-in sheet and once the incorrect ballots were turned in, the affected voters cannot vote again.
Judge Joseph Mikitish rejected arguments by Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall and some crime-victim advocates that the required 100-word description of the measure failed to inform those signing the initiative petition of exactly what it would do.
New ads from Sen. Martha McSally accuse Democratic opponent Mark Kelly of “lining his pockets with taxpayer money," but fact-checkers are already poking holes in some of the claims.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ voters will get another chance to decide if they want adults to be able to smoke, drink or otherwise ingest marijuana without having a medical reason. Polls suggest they'll approve it.ÌýÌý
Seven candidates are running for three seats on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District's governing board.ÌýThe board for Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s largest school district makes decisions that control a $500 million budget and affect the lives of nearly 45,000 children and their families.