By L. Parsons Arizona voters have until Oct. 23 to register to vote according to the U.S District Court. Judge Steven Logan ruled that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizonans were not able to meet the original registration deadline of Oct. 5. To register to vote, visit www.servicearizona.com or print, fill out and mail a voter registration form to the Navajo County Elections Department, P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, Ariz. 86025. There are multiple ways to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 general election that will decide the presidential race as well as several local races and two ballot initiatives. To vote early in person, voters may check the county recorder’s office website for the proper location in their area. For area towns and cities early voting locations include: Holbrook From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays only until Oct. 30, at the Navajo County Recorder’s Office, located at 100 Code Talkers Drive. Winslow From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 20 and 21, at the Hubbell Building, located at 524 W. Second St. Snowflake From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., weekdays only now through Oct. 22, at the Snowflake Social Hall, located at 78 Center St. Heber From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 and Monday, Oct. 19 at the Navajo County Governmental Complex, located at 2188 W. Country Club Drive. Dilkon From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., weekdays only now through Oct. 20 at the Dilkon Chapter House. Kayenta From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., weekdays only now through Oct. 20, at the Township parking lot. When voting in person, voters are required to present identification before receiving a ballot. The address on the identification must match the precinct register. Acceptable forms of identification with a photograph include a valid Arizona driver’s license or state issued identification care, tribal enrollment card or other tribal identification or other United States, federal, state or local government issued identification. If your photo I.D. does not match your precinct register, you may bring a second form of identification to the polling place. The secondary form must match the precinct register and can include a utility bill, bank statement, vehicle registration, Indian census card, voter registration card and others. The two forms of identification must be presented together. Voters may also vote early or on Nov. 3 by mail. To vote early by mail, a request must be made with the county recorder verbally or in writing before Friday, Oct. 23. The last day to return a ballot by mail is 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Mail-in ballots can be dropped in any mailbox or on Election Day, any polling place or the county recorder’s office. Polling places on Election Day will be determined by precinct. In Holbrook, vote at Machusak Recreation Center; Joseph City, at Joseph City Elementary School; Winslow, at the Girl Scout House; Snowflake, at the Snowflake Social Hall and Cedar Hills Senior Center; Sun Valley, at the Sun Valley Fire Station; Kayenta, at the Old Primary School; Dilkon, at the Dilkon Chapter House; and Indian Wells, at the Indian Wells Chapter House. For a full listing, visit the Navajo County Recorder’s Office website. On the ballot in Winslow is the mayor’s race, three city council seats, three school district governing board seats and two local initiatives, in addition to the two state ballot measures. Running for mayor of Winslow is Roberta “Birdie” Wilcox-Cano who stands on a platform of unity for the Winslow community and current Vice Mayor Marshall Losey, who speaks about sustainability and growth for the city. Three Winslow City Council seats will be filled as well. The incumbent, Judy Howell is seeking to retain her position, as is Kerwin Lawrence who stepped in last year to fill the seat of retiring Councilman Bob Schlesinger. Also running are Melissa Butler-Nelson, Peter Cake, Jim MacLean and Michael Shumway. The Winslow Unified School District Governing Board is also looking to fill three seats. Incumbents Sharon Greenwood, Joseph Hartnett and Allen Leonard are in the race as are newcomer Debbie Martinez and write-in candidate Laura Carrell. Proposition 426 is on the Winslow ballot. A “yes” vote would amend the Winslow City Tax Code to continue levying of the existing one percent sales tax in Winslow for an additional five years and permitting the City of Winslow to maintain a special hospital fund into which 25 percent of the one percent could be used for operational expenses for hospitals within city limits. The remaining 75 percent would be used by the city for capital improvements. City Ordinance 1327 will appear on the Winslow ballot as well. This is a referendum on an ordinance passed by the Winslow City Council in November 2018. Passage of the ordinance would amend the Winslow City Code by adding a new chapter titled Human Rights. The amendment would supplement state and federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, age, disability or veteran status. Exempt from the nondiscrimination policy would be religious organizations with respect to the terms involving marital status, gender identity and sexual orientation. The penalty for violating the ordinance would be a fine of up to $2,500. Multiple arguments for and against the amendment have been presented to the city and can be found in the City of Winslow election information pamphlet distributed to registered voters and available at Winslow City Hall, located at 21 N. Williamson Ave. Snowflake will be deciding on one city council position. Incumbent Allison Perkins will face write-in candidates Joe Clare and Mary Diaz for her seat. At the state level, Arizonans will choose three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission. Six official candidates and two write in candidates will vie for those positions. According to the commission, their mission statement is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable utility services and maintain and operate railroad and pipeline systems statewide. Arizona Legislative District 7 will choose two state representatives from incumbents Arlando Teller (D) and Myron Tsosie (D), as well as new candidates James Parks (R) and David Peelman (R). District 7 Senator Jamescita Peshlakai (D) will run again uncontested. Federally, voters will choose a U.S. Senator between incumbent Martha McSally (R) and Mark Kelly (D), as well as 18 write-in candidates. Incumbent Tom O’Halleran (D) and opponent Tiffany Shedd (R) will face off in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives. Also on the statewide ballot are two initiatives. First, voters have the opportunity to choose a yes or no vote on Proposition 207, the legalization of marijuana. A “yes” vote would allow possession, use and cultivation of marijuana by adults over the age of 21. It also addresses criminal penalties for possession and ban smoking marijuana in public places. Notably, Proposition 207 would impose at 16 percent excise tax on marijuana sales to fund public programs and allow for state and local regulation of marijuana licenses. A version of this initiative did appear on the 2016 ballot but did not address taxation or recreational use. This year, the initiative also allows expunction of certain marijuana offenses. The second measure on the ballot is Proposition 208. A “yes” vote would impose a 3.5 percent tax surcharge on taxable annual income over $250,000 for single persons or married couples who file separately. The surcharge would be imposed on married persons filing jointly or heads of households making $500,000 or more. The increased revenue would be used to supplement funding for public education. As with the rest of the country, Arizonans will choose between three candidates for President of the United States. Incumbent Donald Trump (R), former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen will appear on the ballot. For more information on local, state and federal ballots, check your voter registration status or to track your mail in ballot, contact the Navajo County Elections Department at www.navajocountyaz.gov.
