Once a bastion of the Republican Party, Arizona has transformed into one of the most contentious battlegrounds in the nation. Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won the state in the 2020 presidential election, contrasting with Donald Trump’s success in Arizona in 2024. Here’s all you need to know about today’s primary elections.
What time do the polls open?
Polling places are open from 18:30 IST (13:00 GMT) and will close at 7:30 am (02:00 GMT on Wednesday). Voters waiting in line by closing time will still be permitted to vote.
Who is allowed to vote?
Registered Republicans and Democrats can participate only in their party’s primary elections. Independent voters have the option to join either the Democratic or Republican primary.
Arizona boasts approximately 4.3 million registered voters, comprised of around 1.5 million Republicans, 1.2 million Democrats, and 1.5 million independents or non-affiliated voters.
What races are on the ballot?
Elections will determine party nominees for a variety of significant positions, including governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, and the state superintendent of public instruction. Primaries are also being held for all 30 Arizona Senate seats and all 60 seats in the State House of Representatives.
Who are the candidates in the Republican governor’s primary?
The focal point of Tuesday’s ballot is the Republican primary for governor, where four candidates are competing to challenge Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in the general election. The race has largely limited to two longstanding Republican congressmen, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert.
Image: Reuters/AP
When will the results be revealed?
While polling concludes, election officials cannot disclose results until 8:30 am IST (03:00 GMT on Wednesday). Since a significant portion of voting is completed via mail ballots and early voting, officials are anticipated to report a considerable number of votes shortly after polls close.
Which congressional races are noteworthy?
The primary elections will also select candidates for Arizona’s open 1st Congressional District following Representative David Schweikert’s decision to vacate the seat to pursue the governorship. Covering Scottsdale and northeastern Phoenix, this district is projected to be one of the most competitive in the general election in November and may influence the struggle for control of the US House of Representatives.
In the Republican primary, voters will decide among state Representative Joseph Chaplik, former NFL kicker and sportscaster Jay Feely with Donald Trump’s endorsement, and technology executive John Trobough.
Image: AP
On the Democratic side, physician and former state Representative Amish Shah, who narrowly lost to Schweikert in the 2024 election, is facing off against former television news anchor Marlene Galan-Woods.
Galan-Woods, a former Republican until 2018, is the widow of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, a Republican who later became a vocal Trump critic. She enjoys the support of the national Democratic Party, which backed Shah during the 2024 election. The race also includes publisher Rick McCartney and entrepreneur Jonathan Treble.
Additionally, another significant contest is unfolding in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, where Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran, are unopposed in their respective primaries. They will compete against each other in November in what is perceived as one of the Democrats’ prime opportunities to flip a Republican-held House seat as they aim to regain control of the chamber.
