Hey, Arizona!

Campaign ads are on air, candidates are fighting, and political signs are littering every corner from Bisbee to Kingman. You know what that means — it’s time to vote!

It’s a midterm year, which means key congressional seats and top state positions are up for grabs. The state primary will determine which candidates move on to the general election in November.

Election Day is July 21, but the vast majority of voters cast mail ballots, which were sent out yesterday by local election officials. Voting will continue in the coming weeks.

I’ll be keeping tabs on storylines throughout the state. In Maricopa County, I’m looking at how infighting between top officials will impact election operations and voter confidence. Statewide, I’m watching to see how many people choose to use a new voting option that aims for faster results.

But for now, here’s a quick list of things to keep in mind for this election:

Independents can vote in the primary, but they must choose a ballot — Democratic, Republican, No Labels, or a nonpartisan one that only includes local races. 🟣
Voting by mail? Be sure to send back your ballot by July 14, at the latest. 📫
Traveling? Get in touch with your county recorder to ensure your ballot is forwarded to you. ✈️
You must show ID to vote at the polls. This year, mail voters who drop off their ballots at a voting site can also show ID to have their ballot counted sooner. 🪪
All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to count. 🕖
Voters can sign up to track their ballots! Learn about that — and other election tips — here. 👀

That’s it for this week. Votebeat will be closed the first full week of July, so this newsletter will be back in your inbox the week of July 13.

In the meantime, tell a friend to sign up here so they don’t miss out. And, let me know if you run into any snags as early voting gets underway. You can reach me anytime at [email protected].

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On the Lighter Side

There are few things I love more than a morally gray campaign finance story — and our desert politicians more than delivered this week.

Per POLITICO, Sen. Ruben Gallego has been using his leadership PAC and campaign committee to pay for luxury outings, family travel, and child care expenses.

Gallego tapped his PAC for recent trips to Miami, Disneyland, and Disney World with his family. He and his wife used money from a campaign account to attend the 2023 Super Bowl. Gallego also used campaign cash to foot the bill for a full-time au pair — and on one occasion, to pay his mother-in-law for babysitting.

Meanwhile, Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky faces campaign finance accusations from an estranged business associate of her brother, who runs a local strip club.

The Arizona Republic reported that the man, who is involved in a lawsuit over ownership of the club, got access to her brother’s business documents via the legal battle. Based on those records, he now says Borowsky accepted a $9,500 payment from her brother’s company — far higher than the contribution limit for local candidates.

Both Gallego and Borowsky are likely in the clear. His spending is legal under federal rules, and her alleged campaign finance violation is well past the state’s statute of limitations.

Still, it gives me the ick. 🤢

The Big Story

Everything you need to know about how to vote in Arizona’s primary election

Here’s how to register to vote, cast a mail ballot, and vote in person in Arizona’s 2026 primary election for Congress, governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and more.