4:00 P.M. – Primary election voting ends at 7 p.m.
Arizonans have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballots in Maricopa County on primary election day. Results will be posted beginning at 8 p.m. and will be updated regularly until all of the votes are tabulated. The tabulated ballots will then be canvassed before results are made official. This concludes Cronkite News’ Arizona primary election day coverage.
— Addison Lenhart
12:57 P.M. – CD1 candidate Jay Feely hosting election night watch party
Former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, a Republican candidate in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, spent Tuesday touring multiple polling cities and sites to thank voters.
“We have done everything we can do,” Feely said via text message. “Now we wait until the first drop of ballots at 8 p.m.”
The highly competitive CD1 seat, which encompasses northeast Maricopa County, is open because the incumbent, Rep. David Schweikert, chose not to run for reelection. The district has drawn significant national attention and features a crowded Republican primary that also includes candidates Joseph Chaplik and John Trobough. Feely has President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Feely’s campaign is hosting an election night watch party at the Hilton Garden Inn in Scottsdale, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
– Cronkite News staff
12:50 P.M. – All eyes turn to Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center
A sign directs drivers into the ballot drop-off lane outside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) 
Members of the media set up their equipment inside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) 
The tabulation area inside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center, where election workers will be tabulating ballots in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News)
Ballot drop-off for the primary election began at 6 a.m. Tuesday at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center.
A steady line of vehicles formed outside the center as staff members and Maricopa County security services directed traffic. Signs guided drivers toward the drop-off area.
Voters stayed in their cars as they dropped off their ballots in the drop box.
Inside the center, media crews set up cameras and tripods next to the tabulation area, where election workers were hard at work.
– Samad Khan
12:36 P.M. – Justice of the peace candidate McCloskey visiting multiple voting locations
Lennie McCloskey, a former law enforcement officer, is running for Manistee justice of the peace. His position is for a “court of the people,” he said.
McCloskey planned to visit different polling locations between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Cronkite News caught up with him at Glendale Community College, his fourth polling location of the day.
“Voters have slowly been coming in, representing different causes,” he said. “Older voters seem to be more dedicated to getting out and going to the polls. Younger voters, we need to encourage them to get out. If they vote, they’re voting on our future, and we have to realize that.”
– Gentry Roberts
12:00 P.M. – The importance of voting options in a democracy
Cronkite News reporters were out speaking to voters about their motivation on primary day.
– Cronkite News Staff
11:30 A.M. – Climate change concerns motivate some young voters
Maxwell Farrell recently graduated from Northern Arizona and applied for a canvassing position through Arizona List, a political action committee dedicated to electing progressive pro-choice Democratic women. The group assigned him to Sen. Lauren Kuby, who is looking to hold her legislative seat.
At 22, Farrell understands why young people’s voices make a difference at the polls, especially concerning climate change— a major focus of Kuby’s campaign.
“The biggest thing you need to hear from is from young voters because they are the ones most affected by climate change,” Farrell said. “It’s their world to take over once people pass away.”
Farrell emphasized that the welfare of young people are on the ballot.
“It’s our future whether they know it or not,” Farrell said.
– Eleri Mosier
10:48 A.M. – Gilbert resident gets emotional when discussing right to vote
Norma Hastings, 78, has lived in Gilbert for 55 years. On Tuesday, she voted at the Gilbert Public Works building.
“I’ve voted in person my entire life,” she said.
When discussing what being able to vote means to her, Hastings began to cry.
“It means everything to me,” she said. “It was so special.”
– DJ King
10:37 A.M. – A tale of two volunteers in Chandler
William Jackson and Samantha Platt, both 18-year-old recent graduates of Arizona College Prep in Chandler, are spending primary day volunteering for their former marketing teacher, Stacey Etherington. They are helping verify petition signatures at the Maricopa County Elections Department so Etherington can qualify for the Chandler Unified School District governing board ballot.
“Some of her signatures were challenged, so we were just here verifying some of those signatures,” Platt said.
While Platt plans to register to vote after moving, Jackson planned to cast his first ballot later Tuesday, encouraged by his parents.
“It’s our civic duty,” Jackson said. “If I want to see change in my government, then I’m going to vote for it.”
Jackson said he enjoyed voting in person for the first time and hopes the candidates he supports advance to the general election.
He added that he has no concerns about the election process, saying it appears to be “going smoothly.”
– Samad Khan
10:27 A.M. – Scottsdale voter focused on public safety
Joy Navrkal, 84, voted in the Republican primary at Scottsdale Community College. Originally from Nebraska, she has lived in Scottsdale for several years.
“I always vote and I’m a Republican,” Navrkal said. “I support my party and that’s why I’m here.”
Navrkal said she is not looking for any specific policy changes, but public safety remains a priority.
“I support our police, the people who keep us safe, and our military wholeheartedly,” Navrkal said. “That’s why I’m here.”
– Jadyn Wilgus
10:07 A.M. – Lyons encouraging voter participation in Gilbert
Republican Jed Lyons is running for the District 14 seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. He was stationed outside of the Gilbert Public Works building, encouraging voter participation.
“This is the location I’ve found is busiest in Gilbert right now,” Lyons said. “It’ll be dead for a minute and then it’ll pick up.”
Lyons is running against incumbent Laurin Hendrix and fellow newcomer Tyler Farnsworth in the Republican primary.
– DJ King
9:37 A.M. – Morning turnout low at Paradise Valley Town Hall
Paradise Valley Town Council candidate Daran Wastchak wasn’t surprised by the lower turnout at Paradise Valley Town Hall on Tuesday.
“A lot of residents are not in town during the summer,” Wastchak said. “They’re off somewhere where it’s cooler enjoying themselves so the turnout tends to be a little low in Paradise Valley anyway.”
Wastchak hopes to see an increase in turnout during the afternoon hours.
“I think we’re going to see a pickup this afternoon when everyone’s dropping their ballots after work,” Wastchak said. “I’m looking forward to seeing an uptick.”
– Addison Lenhart
9:10 A.M. – Ensuring his voice is heard
Eric Burruel, 46, is voting in the Democratic primaries at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gilbert. Coming out to vote in person is something he’s done since he got out of the military, he said.
“It’s nice to know that your voice is heard that day, and getting to see the results,” he said.
Burruel also said that he appreciated the in-person voting places being available to find on the Secretary of State’s website.
“We’re ready to get out here and do our part,” he said.
– DJ King
8:54 A.M. – Reminding young voters to get out and vote
Nicholas Beck came early to vote this morning at University Presbyterian Church in Tempe. Beck is from the area, and recalled how important it is for young voters to share their voices at the polls.
“When I was a young voter, I was very excited to get out and make sure that I was exercising my right to vote,” Beck said. “I hope that younger people will continue that, because their voice does matter. The only way we can have change is if we have representation of everyone.”
When young people come together, we can better protect our futures, Beck said.
“We need to make sure that we’re holding on to all the rights that we can,” Beck said.
– Eleri Mosier
8:40 A.M. – Phoenix voter stresses importance of multiple voting options
Sydney Lewis said she typically votes by mail but cast her ballot in person Tuesday in downtown Phoenix after not receiving a mail-in ballot.
“I prefer mail-in just because it’s quick and easy,” Lewis said. “But this was my first time actually voting in person and I thought it was really accessible. There wasn’t a long line and the instructions were very clear, so I had a pretty good experience today.”
Lewis emphasized the importance of making voting accessible through multiple options.
“There’s multiple ways to vote,” she said. “For some people, they may not have the opportunity to vote in person. In a democratic system, it’s so important to have your voice heard.”
Although Lewis said she was pleased with her voting experience, she was disappointed by what she described as low turnout.
“I think everyone should vote,” she said. “I was disappointed to see just how few people were here today. I really encourage people to get out there and make your voice heard.”
– Richie Meno
8:32 A.M. – Mail-in votes can now be tabulated immediately
A new option is available for mail-in voters who show up at polls. They can now have their signatures verified in person by a poll worker, allowing their affidavit envelopes to be opened and tabulated immediately.
“It takes a step out of the process that we would have to do here if we received it here,” Adrian Borunda, Maricopa County’s bilingual communications officer, said Tuesday at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center.
The facility serves as the collection hub for ballots.
Borunda emphasized the importance of high turnout.
“When we get voters out and participate, that data helps inform how we best serve our voters in the community,” he said.
The initial round of election results will be announced at 8 p.m.
There’s “a lot of the elections process that goes on here,” Borunda said.
– Madison Kaminski
8:19 A.M. – Senate candidate Lieberman pushes for strong voter turnout
Aaron Lieberman, a Democratic State Senate candidate in District 4, highlighted the importance of informed voting outside the Paradise Valley Town Hall Tuesday morning.
“Find out who the people are that you’re sending down there,” Lieberman said. “Make sure they are good people who are going to represent your values.”
Despite running unopposed today in his primary, Lieberman still recognizes the differences increased voter turnout can lead to.
“The more people participate, the more people vote, then the more it’s a contest of ideas,” Lieberman said. “If you don’t vote you’re taking yourself out of the game and to me that makes absolutely no sense.”
— Addison Lenhart
8:00 A.M. – Turning Point approaches former Coyotes forward Jeremy Roenick about Congressional run in Arizona
The activist group Turning Point USA approached former Coyotes forward and Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick about running for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Roenick declined.
“I don’t have time in my life to have another job or responsibility,” Roenick told Cronkite News via text message on Tuesday morning. “I’m running three companies and have a paid job and I’m a (Chicago) Blackhawks ambassador!”
The highly competitive CD1 seat, which encompasses northeast Maricopa County, is an open seat because the incumbent, Rep. David Schweikert, chose not to run for reelection. The district has drawn significant national attention and features a crowded Republican primary including candidates Joseph Chaplik, John Trobough and former Cardinals and NFL kicker Jay Feely, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
– Cronkite News staff
7:50 A.M. – Primary day off to quiet start in Gilbert
Two hours after the polls opened, voting in the East Valley remains slow. Only a few cars fill the parking lot at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gilbert, and no line has formed.
Maricopa County’s official election website shows the same trend. Almost every polling location reports no wait time and no lines.
– DJ King
7:32 A.M. – PV council member Thomasson stresses importance of young voters
Council member Anna Thomasson was outside the Paradise Valley Town Hall on Tuesday morning as she pursues reelection to the Paradise Valley Town Council.
Thomasson, who has served on the town council since 2018, emphasized the importance of voting in smaller communities.
“I’m a candidate who’s run three to four elections now,” Thomasson said. “In a small community, some elections have come down to 12 different votes. So each voter can make a difference.”
Thomasson hopes to see an increase in turnout from young people at this years’ elections.
“Your vote really matters. It sets you up for future engagement,” Thomasson said. “I wish more younger people would vote. It really matters.”
– Addison Lenhart
7:00 A.M. – Voting is underway
A voter drops his ballot into a drop box at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) 
A sign directs voters toward an official ballot drop box outside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News)
Arizonans in Maricopa County will vote in 245 voting centers between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. today.
Over 2.5 million voters are registered to vote in the county, accounting for over half of the Arizona electorate which has 4,306,554 registered voters.
The unofficial results will be posted beginning at 8 p.m. and contain ballots that have already been tabulated by Election Day. They will be updated regularly until all results are tabulated.
The results cannot become official until they’ve been canvassed.
Read more updates from election day.
– Addison Lenhart
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