Gila County has 72 PC positions empty. New PCs bring fresh energy, while returning PCs bring invaluable wisdom. By recruiting just 3 more, we can multiply our strength even further! 

Precinct leaders are the backbone of our democracy. They connect neighbors to the ballot box, organize volunteers, and ensure our communities are represented in decisions that impact our daily lives.

When you become a PC, you're not just filling a role—you’re building power where it matters most. And by bringing 3 more people with you, you're amplifying that impact throughout your community!

Don't know your precinct? No problem, you can check it here: https://my.arizona.vote/WhereToVote.aspx?s=address 

Need more info: https://sites.google.com/azdem.org/gila-county-democratic-party/get-involved/pcs?authuser=0 and has a sign up sheet!

 Become a PC. Return as a PC. Recruit 3 more! 

Yes, There is PC Training!

You're just in time! We now have a state-wide training called Saddle Up, Saturday! 

Precinct Committeeperson's gather round for an exclusive update for Democratic Party PCs and those who are interested in becoming PCs!

Hear directly from your ADP leadership and stay informed on the fight ahead in 2026.

Sign up here to get the Zoom link for this 1 hour training. https://www.mobilize.us/azdems/event/863900/

LD7 Candidates

A reminder that LD7 now has a full slate of candidates running for state legislative office. 

The following candidates have filed Statements of Interest and are collecting candidate nominating petition signatures.

• Mike Montiel, from Superior in Pinal County, for AZ Senate

• Sam Martin, from Oracle in Pinal County, for AZ House

• Trevre Routhier, from Flagstaff in Coconino County, for AZ House. https://www.trevreforstatehouse.com/

To sign their nominating petitions, please visit E-Qual. https://apps.azsos.gov/equal/

Arizona voters who are registered Democratic or Independent / No Party Preference may sign nominating petitions for Democratic candidates.

E-Qual is the secure, fast, and accurate way to sign petitions, taking the guesswork out of figuring which petitions you are eligible to sign and whether you have already signed a candidate’s petition. To use E-Qual, you will need to have your AZ Driver’s License Number OR Voter Registration ID Number and last four digits of your Social Security Number handy.

Candidate Recruitment

We are looking for LOCAL LEADERS to run for office in Payson for city and school board to create change in Payson.

Read the below Press Release. Please note the deadlines. If you are interested in creating a better Payson, please seriously consider running for Mayor or Town Council. 

Contact our office if you want to discuss. The office is open on Wednesday, 9am - 11am and Saturday from noon till 2pm. Alternatively, give us a call at 928-267-3343. There's even training on how to be a candidate!

Donating

One thing that a party organization runs on besides volunteers is money. I know. It's a never-ending demand in your emails, your phone messages, and even in your snail mail. To be honest, fundraising isn't my favorite thing to do either. However, if we want to turn Gila County and Arizona blue, we need to pay for advertising, radio spots, newspaper and magazine material, texts, and an office. Our biggest issue is the lack of volunteers. We need volunteers to text, phonebank, knock on doors and manage the office, run postcard parties, and get out the vote. 

You can help us with this. One major project we could use money for is the recruitment of PCs and volunteers. I have over 500 people signed up for this newsletter. If each person could give $10 per month, we could fund the stamps, and so on, to help us recruit. We'd be assured of the income to keep our office, the hub of our operations. To donate, go to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/gila-county-democratic-party-1 or use this handy QR Code: 

Basic 2026 Election Calendar

Here's the basic election calendar for this year. Please note the July 6th deadline for registering to vote in the August Primaries. Be aware that voter registration lists are regularly purged. Even if you've voted in every election since the dawn of time, still go into the AZSOS.gov page and check to ensure you are registered to vote. Also of note, Independent voters can request the Democrat, Republican, or Independent Party ballot of their choice to make their primary candidate known. Notice the Independent Party designation, not to be confused with those voters who have not chosen a particular party membership. Make your voices heard. The local elections covered in this election year are the ones that affect you the most directly. There is no unimportant election. Need help with your registration? We'd be happy to help.

For the detailed calendar, review the AZ Secretary of State’s Master Calendar and check with your County Elections Offices and Recorders.

CANDIDATES

March 7: Beginning of filing period for Primary Election Candidate Nomination Papers, Nomination Petitions, and Financial Disclosure Statements with AZ Secretary of State.

April 6: AZ Secretary of State Deadline for Accepting Primary Election Candidate Nomination Papers, Nomination Petitions, and Financial Disclosure Statements.

May 3: County Recorders begin accepting ballot-by-mail requests for the August 4 Primary Election.

July 6: Last Day to register to vote for the August 4 Primary Election (by 11:59 pm).

July 8: Early voting begins for the August 4 Primary Election. County Recorders mail early ballots to voters on the Active Early Voting List and to voters who have requested a one-time ballot by mail.

July 9: County Recorders begin providing to recognized political parties daily, a list of voters whose signatures are missing or inconsistent through the end of the conditional provisional ballot-cure deadline.

July 31: Deadline to vote early in person for the August 4 Primary Election.

August 2: County Recorders begin accepting ballot-by-mail requests for the November 3, 2026, General Election.

August 4: Primary Election Day.

August 9: Last day for signature cure of early ballots.

August 20: Deadline for AZ Secretary of State Official Canvass of the Primary Election results for all federal, statewide, and legislative candidates.

October 5: Last Day to register to vote for the November 3 General Election.

October 7: Early voting begins for the November 3 General Election. County Recorders mail early ballots to voters on the Active Early Voting List and to voters who have requested a one-time ballot by mail.

October 8: County Recorders begin providing to recognized political parties daily a list of voters whose signatures are missing or inconsistent through the end of the conditional provisional ballot cure deadline.

October 30: Deadline to vote early in person for the November 3 General Election.

November 3: General Election Day.

November 8: Last day for signature cure of early ballots.

November 23: Deadline for AZ Secretary of State Official Canvass of the General Election results for all federal, statewide, and legislative candidates.

PARTY COMMITTEES

Now through September 30: The County Parties may appoint Precinct Committeemen (PCs) to fill vacant PC slots. For the remainder of the term, appointed PCs have the same rights and duties as elected PCs.

March 2: Beginning of filing period for elected PC Nomination Paperwork (petitions or write-in forms). Check with County Elections Offices and County Parties for specific requirements. Term runs from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2028.

April 1: Deadline for filing PC nominating petitions. Check with County Elections and County Parties for specific requirements/deadlines.

April 15: Deadline for filing write-in paperwork to become an elected PC. Check with County Elections and County Parties for specific requirements/deadlines.

August 4: Primary Election Day. Unless more applicants have submitted nomination paperwork than the number of PC positions available, the County Boards of Supervisors will cancel the PC elections and deem the applicants elected.

October 1: Newly-elected PCs assume their duties (voter registration, GOTV, and party duties).

November 19: LD7 organizing meeting. The elected PCs will reorganize the LD7 committee by electing among themselves officers (Chair, First Vice Chair, Second Vice Chair, Two Additional Vice Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, and Treasurer Pro Tem). The elected PCs will also elect among themselves, by county, State Committee Members (SCMs), according to a county allotment determined by the State Party.

December - January: The elected PCs will reorganize their county parties by electing their leadership positions.

January 2027: Elected SCMs reorganize the State Committee by electing its leadership positions.

We Need Volunteers!

I hear it all the time, what can I do?

Program and Volunteer Managers — Volunteers are needed to help us manage and run things like our Postcard Parties. We need someone to help us recruit volunteers. We would love to have someone help us with data entry. Would you like to help us manage all of our volunteers. This entails keeping a list of our volunteers and their contact information, a list of all of the volunteer opportunities. Contact connie.cockrell@gmail.com, to check out how this works.

Is there a task you see needs to be done and are willing to step up? Contact me at connie.cockrell@gmail.com to discuss and to sign up.