By Cliff Hamilton
Sedona AZ (May 24, 2014) – You may need to act now if you want to vote in the August 26 Primary Election.
Registered voters living in the Coconino County part of Sedona will soon be receiving an election notice and a ballot selection form to return back to the county. Voters in the Yavapai County portion of Sedona received their mailing and return form as well as a new voter registration card in early May. The Coconino County mailing will not include a new voter registration card.
In both cases, independent voters on the early voter mailing list will NOT receive any kind of ballot unless they return the form specifying which ballot they want – either a ballot for one of the major parties (which will also include a Sedona city election ballot) or just the Sedona city ballot. While independents have until August 15 to return the form – or call your respective county and request your ballot that way – it’s best to do it soon after receiving the materials and avoid the form and return envelope getting lost or forgotten.
If you are an early mail voter and are registered with one of the established political parties, you’ll automatically get that party’s ballot plus the Sedona city ballot without asking or returning any form. If you are not currently on the early mail list you can still request an early mail ballot up until August 15 or you can simply wait and vote in person at a polling place in the August 26 Primary Election.
If you plan to be away for the summer, especially during both July and August, getting on the early mail list and having your mail forwarded may be your only voting option.
Most of Sedona’s city elections are decided in the Primary so if you are an independent voter, watch your mailbox and be sure to request your ballot or you won’t get one. There will be three City Council seats and the Mayor’s seat up for election along with an important measure deciding if Sedona will retain the home rule option to set our own city budget or if that will be done by the state legislature.
