As an Arizona resident residing in Fountain Hills who temporarily moves out-of-state, I have often thought I should be able to cast a ballot in the elections held in May and August.
State law prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from forwarding mailed election ballots. If you are a registered voter and will be at a temporary address during the May 15 referendum, you can send a signed, written request at least 30 days in advance (April 13) of the election date, giving Maricopa County permission to mail your ballot to a temporary address.
Include your full name, date of birth, Maricopa County residence address, temporary address where you want the ballot mailed and a note that “Maricopa County has permission to send my early ballot for Fountain Hills, Arizona’s May 15, 2018 election to the temporary address provided.” Sign and date it and fax it to 602-506-5112 or mail it to Maricopa County Elections, Attn: Early Voting, 510 S. 3rd Avenue; Phoenix, AZ 85003.
Voters, do your research into the facts behind the primary property tax initiative. Many have been published in The Times. Basically, the town is “broke” and will have a significant cash shortfall to maintain our public assets. Fountain Hills residents have a vested interest; a deteriorating town will result in plummeting property values.
That said, voters should not give the town a blank check. We must follow closely the town budget and any expenditures put forward by the town leadership that do not involve the priority of cash reserves being set aside to maintain our town’s public infrastructure. We do not want any IOUs to town maintenance funds or cash spent on chasing frivolous, lagoon-type initiatives.
We want town leadership to live within our means, period. Vote yes.
