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CHAPTER 2
Election Dates
Election Dates for Regular Candidate Elections
Notwithstanding any charter to the contrary, a candidate election (other than a special election to fill a vacancy or a recall election) can only be held on the following dates:
- The first Tuesday in August of an even-numbered year.
- The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even-numbered year. A.R.S. §§ 16-204, 16-204.01.
Dates for Other Elections
All other local elections (including special elections to fill vacancies and recall elections, but excluding charter elections and the elections described below must be held on the following dates:
- the 2nd Tuesday in March.
- the 3rd Tuesday in May.
- the 1st Tuesday in August.
- the 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in November. A.R.S. §§ 16-204, 16-241; State ex rel. Brnovich v. City of Tucson, 251 Ariz. 45, ¶ 33, 484 P.3d 624, 632 (2021).
Subject to exceptions, local elections to approve secondary property taxes must be held on the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in any odd or even-numbered year. A.R.S. § 16-204(F)(4).
Notwithstanding any other law, local elections to approve transaction privilege tax assessments must be held on the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in an even-numbered year. A.R.S. § 16-204(F)(4).
Calendars
(Materials marked with an *asterisk* are not updated by the League)
- 2026 Fall City/Town Elections Calendar (PDF version)
- 2026 Fall City/Town Elections Calendar (Excel version)
- Secretary of State 2025-2026 Master Campaign*
- Finance & Lobbyist Calendar, CCEC excluded (state/county)*
- Secretary of State 2025-2026 Campaign Finance Reporting Dates for State Committees and Entities, CCEC excluded (Effective 9/26/2025)*
- Secretary of State 2025-2026 Lobbyist Calendar*
We are pleased to present the League Municipal Election Manual to serve as a resource for municipal clerks. The electronic format allows for quicker updates and reduces the possibility of conflicting print versions.
*The Manual is intended for League members only.
**Nothing in this Manual supersedes any law, the Secretary of State’s Elections Procedure Manual, local requirements, or the agreement with the county for election administration services.
**The Manual does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. As laws change and new court decisions are issued, this Manual may contain errors and outdated information. Neither the League nor the League’s General Counsel provides legal advice or legal interpretations unless specifically requested by your city/town attorney.