Arizona midterm polls 2026: What is emergency voting? Here’s what you need to know if you fail to cast a ballot due to unforeseen circumstances

The US midterm elections are set to be held on November 3, 2026. Besides voting early in person and casting ballots by mail, there is also a provision of emergency voting. This option allows people who were unable to exercise their franchise through other methods due to unforeseen circumstances.

What is Emergency Voting

"Emergency" refers to any unforeseen circumstance that would prevent the voter from voting at the polls. The provision is available for qualified electors in the state who experience an emergency between 5:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding the election and 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election.

Emergency Voting Centers

According to title 16 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (“ARS”) and the 2014 State of Arizona Elections Procedures Manual, counties can accept emergency ballots during the weekend and the Monday before Tuesday Election Day. ARS section 16-542 defines “emergency” as “any unforeseen circumstances that would prevent the elector from voting at the polls.”

Electors who encounter an emergency occurring between:

• 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday before the election and
• 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election

Those who fall in this category may request to vote in the manner prescribed by the county recorder of their respective county.

They shall provide identification as prescribed in section 16-579 and shall sign a statement under penalty of perjury that states that the person is experiencing or experienced an emergency after 7:00 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election and before 5:00 p.m. on the Monday immediately preceding the election that would prevent the person from voting at the polls.

Signed statements received pursuant to this subsection are not subject to inspection pursuant to title 39, chapter 1, article 2.

Those who are notwithstanding section 16-579, subsection A, paragraph 2, for any voting pursuant to subsection H of this section, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections may allow a qualified elector to update the elector's voter registration information as provided for in the secretary of state's instructions and procedures manual adopted pursuant to section 16-452.

Voters in Ariona will cast ballots to choose their preferred candidates who are part of important races for governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.


Other key methods of casting a ballot


Many voters use regular methods like the state's mail-in voting system, while others vote in person early or on Election Day. The last day to vote in the midterms is Election Day on November 3, 2026.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Arizona. Those who want to vote prior to Election Day can opt for early voting and vote in person. The last day to vote early in person is October 30, 2026. It falls on Friday before the election day.


Also Read: Arizona Midterm Elections 2026: What is the deadline to mail back your ballot? Here’s what you can do if you miss out


The last day to request a mail-in ballot from your county recorder's office was October 23, 2026. The voters have to mail it back by October 27, 2026. In case anyone fails to send before the deadline, they can bring it to a drop box or voting center by the end of voting on Election Day.