Early Voters Speak in Arizona as Candidates Flock to State

Arizonans Come to Vance, Walz Rallies

Walz and Vance both held rallies in Tucson on Oct. 9.

Walz, a former public school teacher, spoke at Palo Verde High Magnet School in the Terra Del Sol neighborhood. Vance spoke on the outskirts of town at the Tucson Speedway.

At the beginning of his remarks, the senator acknowledged the sweltering temperatures.

“If you’re getting hot, and you’re not feeling great, we’ve got an air-conditioned tent,” he said.

The start of early voting permeated remarks from Vance and the speakers before him. So did themes of war and peace.

Robert O’Brien, who served as national security adviser under Trump, praised Trump for presiding over what he called “peace in the world” before criticizing opposition to strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump has encouraged Israel to hit nuclear facilities in Iran.

Vance’s speech was interrupted by a military jet flyover.

“I think that fighter pilot couldn’t say it, but I think he’s gonna vote for Donald J. Trump for president,” Vance said.

Attendee James Gould said he planned to vote early in the next several days. While he worries about fraud, he noted the state allows Arizonans to track their ballots online.

“I don’t like mail-in ballots, but Trump asked us to get it done,” said Tad Richards, another attendee.

“Republicans are saying go vote now,” said Victoria Aguilar. She too plans to cast her ballot early and, like Gould, is glad she can monitor her ballot.

Kathleen Splittstoesser and Peggy Gibson also plan on voting early.

“Each time, we have a different strategy. This time, it’s vote early and swamp ‘em right up front,” Splittstoesser said of Republicans’ approach in this election.

While the Vance event was crowded, so was Walz’s later that day. Many would-be attendees couldn’t get inside the room holding the rally or an overflow room.

Harris supporters slowly dispersed from the high school parking lot. The Kamala Harris Art Car, decorated by Bisbee, Arizona, artist Gretchen Baer, sat nearby, one of many vehicles shielded from the sun by arrays of solar panels.

“At least I got to see Gretchen’s car,” said Richard Trible. Trible is a photographer known for documenting the javelinas that live under his home.

“I haven’t voted yet,” he said, noting that mail-in ballots had only just been sent out.

When he was informed of the possibility of casting his ballot at an early voting center, the artist chuckled.

“I’m too lazy to do that,” he said.