LIVE Blog: Decision 2026 – Countdown to the Midterm Elections

(KYMA) - It's the day before Election Day, and election offices across the Desert Southwest are making their final preparations.

If you still have an early ballot in Arizona, don't put it in the mailbox Monday as it is too late to mail your ballot. Instead, bring it to an official drop-off location or voting center by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters still have time to make sure your voice is heard and your ballot is counted.

Yuma County Recorder David Lara suggested that voters with mail in ballots still in their possession bring it to a voting center.

"If they mail it now, it's cutting it really close, and we need in Election Day by seven, or it won't count," Lara shared.

If you weren't able to make it Monday, you still have time to vote Tuesday before the deadline.

"Don't forget to get out and vote. We don't close until seven, so that gives people time to get out of work or school," Lara remarked. "We'll be there until seven. If you're inside at seven, even if there's a line, we'll allow everyone inside to vote."

Arizona has received more than 1.6 million early ballots out of the more than three million ballots requested.

Voters should also confirm their voting location and hours with the Yuma County Elections Department before heading out.

If you receive a call from the Recorder's Office, make sure that you answer it just in case there's a discrepancy on your ballot.

"Sometimes there's a minor discrepancy and you will be receiving a call from my office that's to correct it to make sure your ballot counts...sometimes we're not telemarketers. Please answer the call so we can make sure your vote counts," Lara explained.

Don't forget to bring acceptable identification.

Meanwhile, for California voters, they can still mail in their ballots as long as it's postmarked by Tuesday.

However, for some people, they prefer to vote in-person, and it is happening right now at the Registrar of Voters' Office.

So far, News 11 hasn't seen or heard of any issues at any of the voting centers in Imperial County.

Residents are dropping off mail-in ballots at the drop boxes, while some got a head start with mail-in ballots.

"I always vote by the mail so when I receive it in the mailbox, I take a few days to look over everything, propositions. I actually turned it in to the drop box in front of City Hall," Ruben Villa, Brawley School Board candidate.

Voting centers in Imperial County are open until 4:30 p.m.

Decision 2026: KYMA-TV by Gregory Deffenbaugh