Rumors and memes are circulating online suggesting that voters should not return their ballots by mail this election season. Some posts urge voters to use drop boxes instead. Others imply that voting by mail may not be safe, may not count, or may be affected by pending court action.
Here is the most important thing Arizona voters need to know: you do not need to wait for the Supreme Court before making a voting plan.
Arizona voters can still vote by mail. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has said clearly that, for Arizona voters, “nothing has changed.” Voters should continue making plans to participate as they normally would, including by mail, early voting, ballot drop box, or voting in person.
The current national legal dispute involves a Trump administration effort to impose new mail-ballot procedures through the U.S. Postal Service. The proposed changes include requirements related to lists of mail-ballot recipients, ballot-envelope design, and unique barcodes. A federal judge has blocked implementation of the rule, and the administration has again asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the rule to take effect.
That is real news. But it does not mean mail voting has been canceled. It does not mean Arizona voters should panic. And it does not mean voters should rely on memes, rumors, or partisan social media posts for election instructions.
For Arizona voters, the practical guidance remains simple: receive your ballot, vote it, sign the affidavit envelope, return it early, and track it.
Arizona is not a “postmark” state. Your ballot must be received by election officials by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you choose to return your ballot by mail, send it as early as possible. Arizona election officials have advised voters to mail ballots well before Election Day; voters who are close to the deadline should use an official ballot drop box, county election office, early voting site, or voting location instead.
So should voters use the mail or a drop box? The best answer is: use the official return method that fits your timing.
If you receive your ballot early and can mail it back promptly, voting by mail remains a valid option. If Election Day is approaching, an official drop box or voting location may be the safer choice because Arizona ballots must be received by the deadline. Either way, the goal is the same: make a plan early and use official election sources.
This is where people of faith can be trusted messengers.
In anxious election seasons, misinformation spreads quickly. Some misinformation is intentionally false. Some is shared by well-meaning people who are confused or worried. Either way, it can cause harm when eligible voters delay, give up, or choose a voting method based on fear rather than facts.
We at LAMA encourage congregations and community leaders to share calm, accurate, nonpartisan guidance:
Arizona voters can still vote by mail.
Return ballots early.
Sign the affidavit envelope.
Use official drop boxes or voting locations when close to the deadline.
Check information with the Arizona Secretary of State, your county recorder or elections office, or Arizona Clean Elections.
Do not forward voting instructions from memes, screenshots, or anonymous posts.
Faithful civic engagement is not about telling people how to vote. It is about helping every eligible neighbor participate freely, safely, confidently, and with accurate information.
Our Lutheran public witness calls us to care about truth, neighbor well-being, and the common good. In this election season, that means resisting panic, correcting misinformation gently, and helping one another make a clear voting plan.
Do not wait for the outcome of a court case to decide whether you will vote. Make your plan now. Vote early. Return your ballot on time. Track it. And help a neighbor do the same.