Early Voting Kicks Off in Arizona, a Crucial Swing State
In a significant move, Arizona has become the first presidential battleground state this year to offer early in-person voting, with residents in Phoenix starting to cast their votes at the Arizona State University campus. With 11 electoral votes at stake, the state is a crucial player in the upcoming election.
Carol Keane, a voter from Phoenix, has expressed her support for Donald Trump, citing policy alignment as her primary reason. "The idea of Kamala Harris as president terrifies me because I disagree with her policies," she stated. In contrast, Arianna Welker, another Phoenix voter, threw her weight behind Kamala Harris, referring to Trump as a "huge comedic performance." Welker shared, "I voted for Kamala for many personal reasons, as I don’t agree with Trump. Being a person of color, I support reproductive rights, which is very important to me."
Both Republican and Democratic vice presidential candidates have campaigned in Arizona, recognizing the state’s potential influence on the presidential election outcome and the Senate’s power dynamics. As of late July, Arizona had 4.1 million registered voters, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. However, the actual number is likely higher, given the efforts of both parties to boost registration ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to lead a rally in Phoenix on Thursday, while former President Donald Trump will conduct a rally on Sunday in Prescott Valley, a Republican stronghold located approximately 90 miles north of Phoenix. The 2020 election saw President Joe Biden win against Trump by a slim margin of just 10,457 votes. This narrow victory has fueled years of misinformation and conspiracy theories among Republicans who have not accepted Biden’s win, resulting in threats and harassment against election workers.
In response, some election offices have enhanced security measures for their staff and polling place volunteers. Early in-person voting has already started in several states, with Arizona taking the lead. The trend will continue next week in four additional key presidential states: Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Nevada.
As the election season heats up, Arizona’s early voting initiative is likely to attract attention from across the country. With its 11 electoral votes hanging in the balance, the outcome in Arizona could have a significant impact on the presidential election’s overall result.
