Pima County approves 2026 early-ballot dropoff and emergency voting sites; recorder explains options for no-party-designated voters

The Pima County Board of Supervisors on May 21 approved Resolution 2026-31 naming early-ballot dropoff sites and emergency voting locations for the 2026 primary election and received a detailed briefing from the county recorder on how independent (no-party-designated) voters can request partisan ballots and other operational changes.

Recorder’s explanation: the recorder told the board that independent or no-party-designated voters may request a partisan ballot — by returning a mailed notice, using an online portal, calling to request a ballot, visiting an early voting site once early voting opens, or requesting a ballot at a vote center on Election Day. The recorder also confirmed a revision to a single-envelope process for vote-by-mail ballots — the county will no longer include a separate privacy envelope and instead will display the outer signature panel for verification.

Observers and mobile voting: the recorder said observers from political parties may be present in early voting locations if the parties designate them, consistent with changes in state law, and that mobile vote-unit schedules will be posted via hyperlink (one-day or two-day stops) to avoid confusion about the units’ schedules.

Why it matters: supervisors asked for statistics showing how many independent/no-party-designated voters requested partisan ballots in recent primaries; the recorder agreed to provide that historical data after this primary. Supervisors also raised questions about privacy-envelope changes and the logistics of mobile voting in rural areas.

Representative quote
“They can do it online through our online portal. They can call and request a ballot… they can show up to an early voting site once early voting begins or they can show up to election day vote center and they can request it that way,” the county recorder said, describing the request options for no-party-designated voters.

Outcome: Resolution 2026-31 was adopted with a roll call vote recorded in the meeting minutes and the recorder will follow up with historical data on independent voters’ participation in partisan primaries.