Payam Javan: Election season has officially begun in Arizona, a critical battleground state, as early in-person voting kicked off on October 9. Mail-in ballots were also sent to voters who either requested them or are part of the state’s active early voting list. Voters have the option to cast their ballots early in person or use the drop boxes that opened across the state the same day. According to Arizona’s election manual, only the first ballot received and verified by the County Recorder will be counted. Voters must request their mail-in ballots by October 25, and normal early voting ends on November 1, just days before the general election on November 5.

The state has provisions for emergency voting between November 1 and November 4 for those unable to vote due to unforeseen circumstances. Arizona’s county recorders are required to establish early voting locations throughout their counties to ensure accessibility. Maricopa County, where over 60 percent of Arizona’s population resides, opened a dozen voting centers on October 9, with more locations opening throughout the month. Drop boxes, including two 24-hour options, have also been made available. Political campaigns from both parties are actively engaging with voters in the state, with candidates flocking to key cities as election activities ramp up.

The race in Arizona remains competitive, with former President Donald Trump leading Vice President Kamala Harris in recent polls. An AARP-commissioned survey from late September to early October found Trump ahead by two points, and polling averages from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics show a slim advantage for Trump. Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, is set to rally supporters in Tucson on October 9, while Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, will campaign in Chandler alongside Senate candidate Rep. Ruben Gallego. Other prominent figures like First Lady Jill Biden and President Trump himself are also scheduled to make appearances in Arizona ahead of Election Day.