Monday deadline to register to vote in Tucson, school district elections

A roundup of upcoming Tucson-area political events: Deadline to register to vote in Tucson and school district elections on Monday; early voting in all-mail ballot election starts Oct. 8; Sentinel team on the airwaves; & more

Send your events for Tucson Sentinel’s political calendar to [email protected].

Voters who wish to cast a ballot in the Nov. 4 city of Tucson and school district elections must register to vote by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6.

The election is open to voters across the city of Tucson as well as those living in the Tucson Unified School District, Sunnyside School District and Flowing Wells School District.

In
North Side Ward 3, incumbent Democrat Kevin Dahl is facing Republican
challenger Janet Wittenbraker, who made her political debut unsuccessfully running
against Tucson Mayor Regina Romero two years ago and followed that up
with a failed bid for the District 3 seat on the Board of
Supervisors in 2024. 

In the race for an open seat in Midtown Ward
6, Democrat Miranda Schubert is facing Republican Jay Tolkoff. The is
an open seat in the ward because current Ward 6 Councilmember Karin
Uhlich is not seeking the seat. Uhlich was appointed to the office after
Democrat Steve Kozachik, first elected in 2009 (as a Republican),
stepped down to take a job with Pima County.

In
South Side Ward 5, Democrat Selina Barajas is facing no opposition in
her run for the seat previously held by Richard Fimbes, who stepped down
earlier this year because of health struggles. (The City Council appointed Rocque
Perez to the seat, but he is not running to hold the position in the election.)

With Prop. 417, city voters will also decide whether to ratify Plan Tucson, an update of the city’s general plan for the next decade. 

The school district propositions include:

Prop. 414: The Tucson Unified School District is asking voters to approve a maintenance and operations override, which would
allow TUSD to spend an estimated $45 million over a state limit next
year. The 15 percent override would be in place for seven years. Find more details here.

Prop. 415: The Flowing Wells Unified School District is asking voters to approve $30 million in bonds. More details here.

Prop 416: The
Sunnyside Unified School District’s Prop. 416 is asking voters to
approve $120 million in bonds. More details here.

If you’ve moved, changed your name, or want to change political parties, you must complete a new voter registration form. To register, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old at the time of the election.

Voters can register to vote or change their registration online at servicearizona.com or by filling out a new voter registration form, which can be found at most post offices, libraries and other locations. (Find specific spots at the Pima County Recorder’s website.)

Area voters can check their registration status at the Pima County Recorder’s Office website.

While the city of Tucson typically runs its own election, the City Clerk’s Office is collaborating with the Pima County Recorder’s Office for a consolidated election because of the overlapping school district propositions.

The Recorder’s Office will be managing most aspects of the election.

This election will be conducted by mail. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed to all eligible voters on Wednesday, Oct. 8, and vote centers will be open on Election Day for voters to drop off their ballots or get replacement ballots.

Friday, Oct. 3: Tucson Sentinel reporter Jim Nintzel joins a
panel of journalists on AZPM’s Press Room to discuss the major news
stories of the week. Steve Goldstein moderates. Program airs at 8:30
p.m. on PBS 6 and NPR affiliate KUAZ-FM, 89.1 FM, streams on the AZPM YouTube channel and can heard as a podcast here.

Thursday, Oct. 16: Tucson Sentinel reporter Jim Nintzel joins the Frank Show. 9 a.m. on KLPX, 96.1 FM.

Friday, Oct. 24: Last day to request an early ballot for the Tucson City Council and school district elections by mail.

Friday, Oct. 24: Sentinel reporter Paul Ingram joins host Bill Buckmaster to interview Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure. The Buckmaster show airs at noon on KVOI, 1030
AM. Episodes stream at buckmastershow.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 28: Recommended deadline to return ballot by mail to ensure the postal service will deliver it to election officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Tuesday, Nov. 4: General Election Day for Tucson City Council races and school district propositions.