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Are you on the 'inactive voter' list? Here's what to do

Posted at 4:00 PM, Aug 10, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-10 22:10:27-04

Seems like it never really stopped but it's officially election season again and if you think you're registered to vote, you may want to check again.

Elaine in Mesa let me know, "my voter's card was deactivated. I can't vote unless I register again. Why? I am an American citizen, and my voter's card should never be deactivated. I am very angry..... Do I have any rights as a full-blooded, born in the greatest country in the world American? Please give me a clue, because I'm clueless."

Thinking you're able to vote and finding out that you're not can be frustrating.

So how does this happen?

According to the Maricopa County Recorder's Office, everything comes down to your address.

If the agency tries mailing you election materials twice and it's returned to them, you'll be placed on an inactive list for up to 4 years.

For security reasons, they say they don't want ballots going to the wrong addresses. But even if on the inactive list, you can still vote. In fact, you'll have to vote or sign a petition to become active again.

But if you don't do either of those within four years, your voter registration will change from inactive to canceled.

That means you'll have to register again like Elaine. You can do that at Servicearizona.Com.

Registration date for the primaries has passed, but you have until October 9 to register for the general election in November.

Check to see if you are registered to vote in Maricopa County here.

To check verify your registration status in other parts of Arizona check for your county's recorder here.