Tucson-area guide for Pima County’s July 21 primary: vote centers, early voting, and drop-off

With the July 21, 2026 primary coming up, Pima County voters have multiple ways to vote in person and then return their ballot before (and including) Election Day. For many residents, the biggest day-to-day change is that Pima County uses vote centers—not the “one polling place for your precinct” model.

Quick checklist (before the weekend)

• Decide how you’ll vote: in person during early voting, or on Election Day at a vote center.
• Last day to vote early in person: July 17.
• Last chance for in-person ballot return/drop-off: by 7 p.m. on July 21.
• Before you go: check your specific site’s hours on Pima.Vote—early voting locations can have different hours.

Vote centers vs. polling places: what to expect

For the July 21 primary, Pima County uses vote centers. In this system, an eligible voter can visit a vote center anywhere in Pima County to get and cast their ballot—rather than being assigned to a single precinct polling location.

For Election Day, vote center hours are listed as 6 a.m. to 7 p.m..

Early voting window (in-person): start and last day

Early voting begins on June 24, 2026. The last day to vote early in person is July 17.

If you plan to vote before Election Day, treat July 17 as the cutoff for your early in-person plan.

Where to vote early in Tucson and across Pima County

Pima County points residents to the Pima.Vote voter information locations map to find the right site to vote (and/or return an early ballot). The county also stresses two practical reminders:

• Early voting locations may have different hours depending on the site—check before you leave.
• Many early voting locations also function as mailed-ballot drop-off sites.

How to return your early ballot during the early-voting period

Pima County’s Recorder’s Office lists several in-person return options:

• In person: you can deliver your early ballot to 240 N. Stone Avenue (Recorder’s Office address) or drop it off at an early voting site.
• Before Election Day: guidance also allows drop-off at an official voting location or a secure drop box.

Election Day ballot return deadline: get it in by 7 p.m.

The strict timing residents need to know: ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day (July 21).

Tucson.com also reported that Pima County’s 24/7 ballot drop boxes accept ballots until 7 p.m. on Election Day—so don’t wait until the end of the day.

If something goes wrong: emergency voting options

Pima County has an emergency voting process for voters who cannot vote in person at a vote center on Election Day due to a qualifying emergency. The county requires identification and a signed statement that an emergency will prevent voting on Election Day.

For the July 21 primary, Pima County’s resolution says emergency voting locations are open:

• Saturday, July 18, 2026: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted in the exhibit)
• Monday, July 20, 2026: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted in the exhibit)

Because site hours can vary, check the official listings on Pima.Vote for the exact location you plan to use.

Bottom line

Last day to vote early in person: July 17. Election Day in-person ballot return cutoff: 7 p.m. on July 21. For site-specific hours and where to go, use Pima.Vote.

Sources

• Arizona Clean Elections Commission: July 21, 2026 Pima primary page
• Pima County Recorder’s Office: Early Voting (official page)
• Pima County: How to use the Voter Information Locations map (Pima.Vote instructions)
• Pima County Legistar PDF: Early voting, ballot drop-off, and emergency voting locations (July 21, 2026 primary)
• Tucson.com: Pima County leaders’ pre-primary update

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