Updated Oct. 28, 2026: Maricopa County’s recommended deadline for returning an early ballot by mail has passed. West Valley voters should now use an official county drop box or vote center so their ballot reaches election officials by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The deadline is based on receipt, not a postmark. Arizona is an in-hand state, so county election officials must receive a ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day for it to count, according to an Oct. 27 notice from the Arizona Secretary of State.
Maricopa County’s 2026 election calendar lists Oct. 27 as the final recommended mail-return date. The county’s current mail-ballot page directs voters to return completed early ballots at an open vote center or secure drop box through Election Day.
How to return a ballot in the West Valley
Maricopa County allows voters to return early ballots at any open vote center or secure drop box through Election Day. The county’s live location finder provides addresses, opening dates and hours.
The locator includes West Valley sites such as Avondale City Hall, Buckeye City Hall, Buckeye Fire Station 704 and the ASU West campus in Glendale. Sites open in phases, and hours can change, so voters should check the locator or call Maricopa County Elections at 602-506-1511 before traveling.
Voters returning a completed early ballot should sign and date the affidavit envelope before dropping it off. They do not need to wait in the in-person voting line simply to deposit a completed ballot where a drop-off option is available.
In-person voting remains available
Maricopa County voters can also vote in person at any open county vote center. The county says early in-person voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Emergency voting begins at 7 p.m. that day, and Election Day voting runs through 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Identification is required for in-person voting. A voter can present one accepted photo ID showing a name and address, such as a valid Arizona driver license, state identification card, tribal identification or another government-issued ID. Other combinations are accepted when an address does not match or a voter lacks one qualifying photo ID. The complete list is available on the county’s ID at the Polls page.
Track whether the ballot was received
Maricopa County voters can check ballot status through BeBallotReady.Vote or enroll in text alerts by sending “JOIN” to 628-683. The system reports when a ballot is received, verified and counted.
The county says all ballot affidavit envelopes undergo signature verification. If election officials identify a signature issue, the statewide ballot-curing deadline is Sunday, Nov. 8, according to the Secretary of State.
Related West Valley Post coverage includes the 2026 registration deadline guide and the report on 3,126 Maricopa County ballots mailed ahead of schedule.
Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration. It is representative and is not an official ballot, election form or photograph of a voting location.
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