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Polling stations and advice for voters before election day

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tomorrow is Election Day and Pima County officials are not only encouraging people to get out and vote, but are also offering some tips on the most time-efficient way to get to the polls, starting with early voting.

“If you want to avoid these wait times, your best bet is to go to an early voting site,” said Pima County Clerk Gabriella Cázares-Kelly.

However, Cázares-Kelly said there were hours-long lines at some locations, such as the polling station in downtown Tucson.

Pima County Communications Director Mark Evans told 13 News they expect about 10-20% of Pima County voters to cast their ballots on November 5th.

Because it's one of the longest ballots in decades, Evans said the voting process could take longer, which would impact wait times.

“It used to take voters 10 minutes to vote, now it could take them 15 minutes,” Evans said.

According to the Pima County Recorder's Office, more than 300,000 voters in the county cast their ballots early.

Cázares-Kelly said when it comes to early voting wait times, she hopes voters communicate with their bosses to ensure they can make time to vote early or on Tuesday.

“The choice between their work and participation in one of our most fundamental rights within our democracy should not, should not, be questioned,” she said.

When it comes to Election Day, Evans says having a plan is the best way to be efficient.

He also advises voters to study their sample ballots to speed up the voting process.

And if you're getting ready to go to the polls on Tuesday, you can head to Pima County website to find the shortest lines.

“It will tell you there's a 25 to 30 minute wait at that voting center,” Evans said. “Well, if you find another voting center nearby and it says you have to wait five minutes, you might go to that one knowing you won’t have that much time to wait.”

Evans added that you are allowed to vote as long as you wait in line at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

He also urged everyone to be patient with the results as it will take a few days for all ballots to be processed.

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