Tucson Standard

Arizona continues to see a steady climb in the number of registered voters whether it’s for primaries or general elections. 

The Secretary of State Office recently released fourth-quarter registration numbers showing a 50,000 increase between October and December.

As of Jan. 2, approximately 3.9 million residents registered to vote in this cycle, which is a 200,000 increase from the 2018 mid-term election. There are 1.36 million registered Republicans and 1.22 million Democrats. The 2020 data also shows 1.3 million registered voters are listed as “other” and there are 32,677 registered as Libertarian. 

“We are working to amplify and increase voter education and outreach efforts so that voters are more engaged and informed,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said on March 3. “We are also working to streamline voter registration so that we are able to engage more people in the process.”

The increase from the 2018 election to 2020 is an example of an upward trend in Arizona since 2000. During that span, only 2006 and 2012 had a decrease in registered voters from the previous election cycle.

In 2004, 2.6 million people registered to vote but in 2006, that number declined to 2.5 million. It rebounded in 2008, with 2.9 million registered voters.

In 2010, the number of registered voters was 3.14 million and declined to 3.12 million in 2012, but increased to 3.23 million in 2014.

Since taking office in 2019, Hobbs, a former state senator, has focused on getting more residents registered to vote.

Her office launched a voter outreach committee and is working with community groups, nonprofit organizations and other entities to promote voter education and registration.

The office also uses social media platforms to update residents with voting information and deadlines.

“The most important job we have in the Secretary of State’s Office is protecting the core of our democracy – our sacred right to vote,” Hobbs said. “We are working to take down barriers that prevent eligible people from participation so that everyone can cast their ballot in a way that is meaningful and convenient to them.”