Elections department processes nomination petitions on final day to file

Since Monday, May 15, those who are seeking elected office in Pinal County have been in and out of the Elections Office, filing their petitions and paperwork to get their names on the ballot in September’s primary.

Pinal County Elections Director Gilbert Hoyos has a favorite saying after all nominating petitions are filed for elected office: “The horses are in the gate.”

“Candidates have been pretty steady in filing since the first day,” Hoyos said. “Right now we are waiting for those who have paperwork on file who haven’t turned in their petitions.”

Hoyos said for an off-year election (non-presidential) there have been a lot of filings for the county. Some offices that are not ordinarily challenged are now competitive.

“More people have been attracted to running,” Hoyos said. “I think it is because of the county’s growth. Add to that the fact that the Sheriff is up for election; that has added a fuel to the fire.”

Once 5 p.m. comes and goes the elections staff goes into full swing, making sure that all the paperwork is correct and the names on the ballot are correct as well.

“After today we will send all the names and offices over to our printer,” Hoyos stated. The State of Arizona will also give the printer the names of the statewide and legislative candidates. The candidates will then receive a letter stating how their names will appear on the ballot. Then we have to come up with the ballot in time for the early voting which begins in August.”

For Hoyos and his staff, this election year signals a new location for the office. Once situated in the basement of Building A at the County Complex, the new office is now located on Florence’s Main Street. The larger size gives the Elections Department more space in which to store voting machines and other items needed to run an election.

“We’re more spread out here,” Hoyos said of the new office located in the former office of the County Recorder. “The new location has eased the crush of candidates coming in.”

Also new this year for the department and voters will be the new devices to help the handicapped place their ballots. The new touch screen devices, called “TSX units,” will allow anyone with a physical or visual handicap to vote. The state purchased those units due to the “Help America Vote Act,” Hoyos said.

Now with the horses in the gate, the Elections Department is ready as the candidates vie for seats in offices from Sheriff to Precinct Committeeman.

The primary election is Tuesday, September 12, 2006.