As a result of a testing glitch, 13 households in Pima County were mailed ineligible ballots for the upcoming March 9 presidential preference election.
To test the new early voting process, local election officials created valid records based on physical addresses, according to a press release from the Pima County Recorder's Office. Those records were not removed before 325,719 Democratic and Republican ballots for the March 9 primary were mailed out on February 21.
As a result, ballots addressed to names such as “Test One Voters” were shipped to 13 homes in Pima, according to the Recorder's Office. Election officials called each household to inform voters of the mistake. They were told to return or destroy their ballots.
Election officials said if a vote was taken, they would seize and disqualify the ballot.
Officials said the error does not affect valid ballots sent to those addresses.
The Feb. 20 deadline to register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary has passed.
The last day to request a mail-in ballot for the primary election is March 8th. He must return the ballot by March 12th. For more information on requesting early voting or to find a location to vote early in person, please visit: click here.
Unlike other local, state and federal elections, where independents can request either a Democratic or Republican vote, next month's race will be closed to non-party members.
Pima County Recorder Gabriela Cazares-Kelly told the Tucson Sentinel that once every four years, presidential election restrictions have caused a lot of confusion and anger, especially for people who participate in elections after going to the polls on Election Day. He said it has caused great confusion and anger among voters who have been told they are ineligible.
“We anticipate that a large number of people will attend and be very frustrated that they are not eligible to participate,” Cazares-Kelly said. “Voting is a very emotional act for people, and it can be very upsetting if you've prepared to support a candidate and find out you're not eligible to participate.”
In addition to President Joe Biden, the Democratic vote includes Congressman Dean Phillips, author Marianne Williamson, and lesser-known candidates Frankie Lozada, Jason Michael Palmer, Gabriel Cornejo, and Stephen. Includes Lions.
Republicans on the ballot include former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, as well as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa, among others who have already suspended their campaigns. It is expected to include many candidates. Hutchinson and Vivek Ramaswamy. Lesser-known candidates David Stackenberg, John Anthony Castro and Ryan L. Binkley are also on the ballot.
