Terry Goddard Outlines ID Rules, Voting Rights for Tuesday’s Election

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Nov. 6, 2006) Attorney General Terry Goddard wants to make sure that all registered voters know their rights and the state’s new identification rules for Tuesday’s election.

“With the new voter ID requirements, it is especially important this year to understand the rules and your rights when you go to the polls,” Goddard said. “Voting is a fundamental right, and I hope the following points will help avoid any confusion.”

Voters must take identification when they go to vote on Nov. 7. In 2004, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which requires proof of identity to be presented at the polling place.

Voters may present one of the following forms of photo ID that bears the voter’s name and address:

  • Valid Arizona driver’s license
  • Valid Arizona non-operating identification license
  • Tribal identification card
    • Valid United States federal, state or local government issued identification.
    • Alternatively, voters may present two forms of non-photo ID that bear the voter’s name and address. These include:
  • Utility bill dated within 90 days of the election (such as an electric bill or phone bill)
  • Bank or credit union statement dated within 90 days of the election
  • Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration
  • Vehicle insurance card
  • Indian census card
  • Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
  • Property tax statement for the voter’s residence
  • Any valid federal, state or local government issued identification, including a voter registration card
  • Recorder’s Certificate

Voters without identification may cast a conditional provisional ballot at the polling place. That ballot will be counted if the voter presents proper identification within five business days after the general election.

Goddard noted the following voting rights:

  • Arizona residents have the right to vote without fear of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry or national origin (A.R.S. § 41-1421).
  • Attempts to interfere with a voter’s opportunity to vote is prohibited by law (A.R.S. §§ 16-101316-1017).
  • Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line during those times, you have the right to vote (A.R.S. §§ 16-565(A)16-565(D)).
    • Once you are within 75 feet of a polling location, no one may try to influence your vote
    • (A.R.S. § 16-515(A)).
  • If you made a mistake or damaged your ballot, you have the right to request a replacement ballot at your assigned polling place (A.R.S. § 16-585).
  • If you have moved within the same county and didn’t file an address change with the county recorder before Election Day, you have the right to vote a provisional ballot at the polling place for your new residence (A.R.S. § 16-135(B)).
  • If you registered to vote in time and your name doesn’t appear on the poll list, you have the right to vote a provisional ballot at the polling place for your residence (A.R.S. § 16-584(B)).
  • You have the right to bring your children under 18 into the voting booth with you (A.R.S. § 16-515(D)).
  • You have the right to request assistance from a person of your choice or by two election officials (one from each party) at the polling place. If you bring someone to assist you, he or she may not engage in electioneering within the 75 foot limit (A.R.S. §§ 16-578 (C)16-515).
  • If you have a disability or are over 65 and the voting location is inaccessible, you have the right to vote by an alternative method, including curbside voting (A.R.S. § 16-581(A)).

Voters who experience problems at their polling place should contact their County Elections Director immediately. Attached is a list of current phone numbers for each County Elections Director. The Secretary of State’s Office also has a phone bank open to answer any questions or concerns. Arizona voters can call 1-877-THE-VOTE (1-877-843-8683).

Any person who believes that he or she has been a victim of voter discrimination should contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office’s Civil Rights Division. Residents in the Phoenix area can get more information by calling:

602-542-5263 877-624-8090 (TTY toll free) 877-491-5742 (Outside Phoenix toll free)

Residents in the Tucson area can get more information by calling:

520-628-6500 877-881-7552 (TTY toll free) 877-491-5740 (Outside Tucson toll free)