Each July 4th we celebrate our independence as a nation and as a free people. The freedom and the opportunity to elect our leaders and representatives is as important today as it was in 1776.
Many of the historical events that led to the founding of our country are well known but we might forget that the first elections of 1776 were state elections not a national election.
Our first President, George Washington, was elected in 1789 in an election period that spanned from Monday, December 15, 1788 to Saturday, January 10, 1789. He ran unopposed. The only person that history shows as not being excited about having Washington as President, was Washington. It took a number of the Founding Fathers to convince him to accept the nomination.
To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain. – Louis L’Amour
This November, Arizona will be in State Election mode as we elect Legislators, Members of the House of Representatives, and our state’s Executive Officers.
At this year’s AZBio Expo on June 19th, we premiered videos from Arizona Gubernatorial Candidates sharing their views and their commitments to growing the bioscience industry in Arizona. You can watch the videos below together or as individual segments on AZBio.TV/Topic
Some of the key decisions will be made much earlier as voters go to the polls ( or vote early by mail) in the Primaries.
To see who is running for all of the offices, please click here. Important decisions will be made in August and your vote matters in BOTH the primary and the General Election.
While AZBio does not endorse candidates, we do recognize our AZBio Trailblazers each year in December for their work in supporting key issues tied to the growth of our industry. To see who has been recognized in the past and who will be recognized for their efforts on December 11, 2014, click here.
If you aren’t registered to vote, it’s not too late. You can register here.
DYK that in 2014, Arizona’s biggest registered voting block is Independents?
REMEMBER INDEPENDENTS CAN VOTE IN THE PRIMARY!
Independents can vote in the primaries at the polls or request to receive an Early Voting Ballot and vote by mail by registering at the Country Recorders Office.
Independents, do not automatically receive an early ballot for the Primary even if you are on the permanent early voting list. Independents must request a ballot from the their County Recorder’s Office if they wish to vote by mail in the Primary. Click the links below for information from your County Recorder or to request that an early voting ballot be mailed to you.
Select a County
Apache | Cochise | Coconino | Gila | Graham | Greenlee | La Paz | Maricopa| Mohave | Navajo| Pima | Pinal | Santa Cruz | Yavapai | Yuma
Important election dates:
July 28 – The final day to register to vote in the Primary Election.
July 31 – First day of Early Voting
August 1 – Day Early Ballots should arrive in mailboxes
August 15 – Deadline to request an Early Ballot
August 22 – Recommended LAST date to return your Early Ballot by mail
August 26 – Primary Election Day – Vote at the polling places