2020 election resources for Arizona voters

YMCA offers free child care for parents while they vote Nov. 3

On Election Day, the Valley of the Sun YMCA is helping all citizens to vote by taking away one potential barrier. Local YMCA branches are offering free childcare on Nov. 3 for both members and nonmembers while they exercise their civic responsibility and head to the polls.

The service is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Election Day. Children of all ages (if potty trained) are welcome. Ages 5 and older must wear face coverings. Call 602-404-9622 or visit valleyymca.org/kidsvote

Local mock elections let kids vote!

Kids Voting USA is a Phoenix-based national, nonpartisan voter education program helping to create lifelong voters. Its local affiliate, Kids Voting Arizona, creates a mock election process to allow children to vote on a ballot to better understand their voting rights and civic duties.

Through Nov. 3, children ages 5-17 can participate in a free mock presidential election at all Valley of the Sun YMCA locations during regular business hours. Kids who participate will get a $25 youth program credit, good for all YMCA youth programming. Valley of the Sun YMCA is hosting the mock election to help a new generation understand democracy. Kids Voting USA is operated by the Arizona Bar Foundation. Learn more at valleyymca.org/kidsvote

Nonpartisan election resources that keep you informed and explain your rights as a registered voter in Arizona.

270towin.com — To understand how extremely important Arizona’s 11 Electoral College votes are to the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, explore this website. There are plausible scenarios where Arizona voters could decide the fate of the country by choosing either Donald Trump or Joe Biden for president.

aclu.org — The American Civil Liberties Union helps safeguard voting rights, including the right to vote even after the polling site has closed, as long as you were in line prior to closing time. If for some reason your name is not in the poll book at your voting location, you are entitled to a provisional ballot. If you encounter problems at the polls, you can call the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

arizona.vote — The Arizona Secretary of State maintains this website, which is the primary information site for Arizona voters. Here, Arizona residents can confirm voter registration status, request a ballot by mail, find voting locations and much more.

azchildren.org — Children’s Action Alliance is an Arizona nonprofit fighting for public policy that benefits the health, education and security of Arizona’s children. Their annual “Who’s for Kids and Who’s Just Kidding” report rates all Arizona legislators on their support for child and family-friendly legislation.

ballotpedia.org — This national website shows you an actual sample ballot based on your address so there won’t be any surprises when you show up at the polls. It also makes it easy to learn more about candidates and issues.

commonsense.org — Young and new voters need to understand why they’re seeing political ads that are eerily applicable to their own interests, stances, locations … and other personal characteristics. Share this quick video to help young voters learn more about how advertisers are choosing them as their audience. Read “How to Guide Your Kids Through Election Season.”

expectmorearizona.org — Expect More Arizona is a nonprofit fighting for Arizona’s children to have a world-class education system. Its Vote 4 Education section provides voter information and resources.

friendsofasba.org — Friends of the Arizona School Boards Association is a nonprofit committed to providing information and resources on high-priority, high-impact policy issues related to education and the success of the more than 1 million students who attend Arizona’s public schools.

icivics.org/election — Arizonan and Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor founded iCivics because she was concerned about growing apathy and disengagement from democracy. She wanted to transform civics education. iCivics is now used to teach to more than 5 million students in all 50 states. Using innovative non-partisan election teaching resources and games, students can learn about the election process, understand the power of their vote and become active participants in our constitutional democracy.

thepollingplace.org — A comprehensive database that consolidates candidates’ backgrounds, policy platforms, and legislation into easily digestible profiles at the national, state and local levels. Created by a team of Arizona-raised high school and college students.

vote411.org — 2020 marks 100 years of women having the right to vote in the United States. The League of Women Voters runs this informational website.

The Help America Vote Act

Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, voters are entitled to certain rights and protections when voting in the United States. Among them, voters have the right to receive instructions for how to vote their ballot, verify that their ballot was counted as cast, make changes or corrections to their ballot before it is cast, and vote using accessible voting machines. HAVA complaints — such as lack of access to accessible voting machines or not being given a provisional ballot when warranted — may be filed by calling 1-877-THE VOTE (1-877-843-8683) or 602-542-8683. On election day, the Arizona Center for Disability Law operates a HAVA hotline to address any election concerns for persons with disabilities: 602-274-6287 or 1-800-927-2260.

Key election dates

Oct. 7: Ballots mailed; early in-person voting begins. Find polling locations at arizona.vote. If voting in person, remember to bring valid government-issued identification, such as an Arizona driver’s license, and wear a face covering as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Oct. 23: Final day to register to vote. Final day to request a mail-in ballot.

Oct. 27: Final day (recommended) to mail in your completed ballot. Ballots that are not received by county election officials by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 will not be counted. If you have filled out your ballot but have not returned it by Oct. 27, you can take it to any polling place.

Oct. 30: Final day of in-person early voting.

Nov. 3: Election day; polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Arizona voters are required to show identification — such as a valid Arizona driver’s license or a valid government-issued ID — when voting in person. Employers are required to grant three hours of paid leave to vote, unless polls are open three hours before or after your work shift. Employees must request leave before Election Day, and the employer may specify the hours that employees can be absent from work.

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