Candidate Information - 2026

Terms

In 2026, three Council Member seats will be up for election. Each seat carries a four-year term. In most years, new Council Members are elected during the Primary Election. Newly elected officials are sworn in and begin their duties at the next regular Town Council meeting following the General Election.

Candidate Eligibility (A.R.S. §§ 9-232 and 16-101)

Arizona Revised Statutes require the Mayor and Council Members to be qualified electors of the Town. A qualified elector must meet the requirements of the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona for state, county, and town electors.

Statement of Interest

Before collecting any signatures for nomination petitions, a candidate must file a Statement of Interest with the Town Clerk.

⚠️ Petition signatures collected before the Statement of Interest is filed are invalid and may be subject to challenge.

Nomination Petition Signature Requirements

Candidate nomination petitions must contain a minimum of 273 to a maximum of 545 signatures of eligible Town of Sahuarita voters.

Nomination Petition Filing Period

The filing period for nomination petitions and forms begins February 21, 2026, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on March 23, 2026.
All documents must be filed with the Town Clerk’s Office by the deadline to have your name appear on the Primary Election ballot.

Required documents:

Nomination Petitions containing at least 273 valid signatures
Nomination Paper, including Declaration of Qualification
Financial Disclosure Statement

Candidate Committee Formation

A candidate must register a committee if they receive contributions or make expenditures—in any combination—of $500 or more in connection with their candidacy.

Write-In Candidates

Write-in candidates are not required to submit nomination petitions, but must file all other required forms.

To qualify as a write-in candidate, file the following with the Town Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m., May 22, 2026 (60 days prior to the Primary Election):

Nomination Paper/Declaration of Qualification
Financial Disclosure Statement

⚠️ Write-in candidates who do not file a timely nomination paper will not be included in the official ballot tally.

Candidate Forms
Candidate Statement of Interest / Spanish
Nomination Paper Declaration of Qualification / Spanish
Nomination Petition / Spanish
E-Qual Candidate Guide
Write-In Candidate Nomination Paper / Spanish
Financial Disclosure Statement Form
Secretary of State Financial Disclosure Guide
Candidate Checklist / Spanish
Write-In Candidate Checklist

Campaign Finance Forms
Campaign Finance Report Form
Campaign Contribution Limits
Campaign Finance Handbook

Candidate Committee Forms
Statement of Organization
Committee Termination Statement
Arizona Revised Statutes - Title 16

Political Signs (Town of Sahuarita)

Campaigns and residents must follow Arizona law and the Sahuarita Town Code when placing political signs in Town limits.

Governing laws

State law: A.R.S. § 16-1019 (political signs, tampering) and A.R.S. § 40-360.21 et seq. (Arizona 811 “Call Before You Dig”). Arizona811.com
Town Code: Sahuarita Town Code §§ 18.79.010 and 18.79.040 (Sign Standards).

Need help? Community Development staff can review sign locations for Town Code compliance. Call (520) 822-8855.

When political signs are allowed in the public right-of-way

Under A.R.S. § 16-1019, political signs may be placed in the public right-of-way starting 71 days before the Primary Election and must be removed 15 days after the General Election (or 15 days after the Primary if the candidate does not advance).

For the 2026 election cycle (per the Arizona Secretary of State):

Primary Election: July 21, 2026 → ROW posting may begin May 11, 2026 (71 days prior).
General Election: November 3, 2026 → ROW removal deadline is November 18, 2026 (15 days after).
If not advancing past the Primary, the ROW removal deadline is August 5, 2026.

Political signs that don’t meet state requirements may be removed from the right-of-way under A.R.S. § 16-1019(C).

Size, placement, and safety basics

Signs must comply with Town Code placement, size, and clear-vision standards.
Do not block sidewalks, traffic control devices, or sight lines at intersections/driveways.
Obtain the property owner’s permission for any sign on private property.

(Community Development can confirm whether a location is within the public right-of-way.)

Call Arizona 811 before installing signs in the ground

Arizona law requires underground utilities to be located and marked before any excavation, which includes driving stakes for signs.

Contact Arizona 811 at least two working days before installing signs.
- Dial 811 or submit a ticket at arizona811.com

☐ Confirm sign size/placement meets Town Code §§ 18.79.010–.020.

☐ If placing in a right-of-way, check the allowed election window (see dates above).

☐ Call 811 at least two working days before installing any signposts/stakes. arizona811.com

☐ Keep signs out of clear-vision triangles and off sidewalks/medians blocking visibility.

☐ Remove signs by the applicable deadline.

E-QUAL

The Town of Sahuarita uses the Arizona Secretary of State’s E-QUAL system to allow candidates to collect nomination petition signatures online.

Getting started:

Interested candidates can create an account and begin their online nomination petition through the Secretary of State’s secure portal:
👉 E-QUAL Candidate Portal

Please follow the step-by-step instructions in the E-QUAL Candidate Guide to ensure your petition is set up correctly.

Need help?

Watch this short video tutorial demonstrating how to create a candidate account and use the E-QUAL system.

PRECINCT MAP

Town of Sahuarita Precinct Map

Important Dates

January 15, 2026
2025 4th Quarter/Cumulative Campaign Finance Report Due

February 21, 2026
First Day to File Candidate Nomination Petitions

March 23, 2026
Last Day to file Candidate Nomination Petitions

April 15, 2026
1st Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due

July 15, 2026
2nd Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due

July 21, 2026
Primary Election Day

August 5, 2026
2026 August Post-Election Primary Campaign Finance Report Due

October 15, 2026
3rd Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due

November 3, 2026
General Election Day

November 18, 2026
2026 November Post-General Election Campaign Finance Report Due

January 15, 2027
2024 4th Quarter Campaign Finance Report Due

The information on this webpage is intended to assist candidates in preparing their candidate papers. While we strive to provide the most current information, state statutes and election cases are subject to constant change and interpretation. Candidates are encouraged to review all election materials with an attorney to ensure compliance with current legal requirements. It is not appropriate for town staff to give legal advice to candidates for office. Please thoroughly review all election materials and comply with all current statutes.

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