Voting

If you are new to Yuma, you still have time to register to vote in the city's Sept. 11 primary election.

Aug. 13 is the deadline to register to vote in the primary, in which six candidates will be completing for three four-year terms on the council and two other candidates will be running for municipal judge. Residents will also vote on the city's proposed Gila Mountain annexation.

One way to register is go online at www.servicearizona.com.

Residents can also go to the Yuma County Recorder's Office, 410 S. Maiden Lane, to get a voter registration form. Return the filled form to the recorder's office by mail or in person, and the office will then mail a proof of registration four to six weeks later.

If you have recently changed your address or political party, you are required to notify the recorder's office by Aug. 13 to vote in the primary. To do that, fill out a new voter registration form or go to www.servicearizona.com.

Once voters are registered, they can vote the day of the election or they can vote early. However, if you have not registered in time to receive an early ballot form you can call the recorder's office to request that one be mailed to them. Once you have received the early ballot form, sign it and return it in the envelope provided.

Only city of Yuma residents can vote in the primary election.

If you choose to go to the polls on election day to vote, the recorder's office will mail you a sample ballot that lists the location of your polling place. There are 27 precincts and 18 polling locations in the city.

The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. If you have questions about the primary election, call the recorder's office at 373-6034.

The next countywide election will be the county's primary election in September 2008, when voters will choose among candidates for county, state and federal offices.