Important dates for the upcoming statewide primary elections, in which at least three local races will be decided, are quickly approaching. The primary election is scheduled on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
The last day to register to vote in the primary election is Monday, July 28. Early voting will begin shortly thereafter, on July 31. Voters may already request early ballots, but they may not be returned until July 31. Requests for early ballots by mail must be made by Aug. 15, but voters may still vote early in person at the recorder’s office up until the primary election.
Although standard candidate nomination packets were due on May 28, the deadline for filing write-in candidate nominations is Thursday, July 17. This is essentially the last chance for any candidate wishing to be considered in an election, however, the candidate’s name will not appear on the ballot.
Local elections that will be decided in the primary include the Holbrook, Winslow and Kayenta justices of the peace. Candidates for other local offices will appear on the ballot, but those candidates are currently unopposed within their own party.
Candidates and offices up for election in Navajo County include Deanne Romo (D), Clerk of the Superior Court; Ralph Hatch (D), Superior Court Judge Division I; Evelyn Marez (D) and Robert E. Salabye (D), Holbrook Justice of the Peace; B.J. Little (D) and Ray Rardin (D), Winslow Justice of the Peace; Fred Peterson (R), Snowflake Justice of the Peace; Delphina Clitso-Francis (D) and Susie Nelson (D), Kayenta Justice of the Peace; Steve Price (R), Show Low Justice of the Peace; David Widmaier (D), Pinetop Justice of the Peace; Phyllis Romo (D) Holbrook Constable; Madeline “Pauline” Hernandez (D), Winslow Constable; Dave Wood (R), Snowflake Constable; Lita Dixon (D), Kayenta Constable; Scott Tipton (R), Show Low Constable; and Ryan Reinhold (D), Pinetop Constable. Anthony “Tony” Hill, an Independent, withdrew from the race for Winslow Justice of the Peace. Sara Owens, who is also an independent, is a candidate for Show Low Justice of the Peace. Her name will appear on the general election ballot.
In addition to making local choices, voters in Navajo County will help narrow down the field of Republican candidates for U.S. House of Representatives in District 1, as well as candidates for governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative and corporation commissioners.
The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters must be registered by Oct. 6 to participate in the general election.
