19634 1/9, 1/16/26 PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF PAYSON –

19634 1/9, 1/16/26 PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF PAYSON – AUGUST 4, 2026 ELECTION The Town of Payson will hold an election on August 4, 2026, for the following purposes: To elect a Mayor to serve a two-year term and to elect three Council Members to serve four-year terms. To consider a proposal to adopt a local alternative expenditure limitation (Home Rule option). Any candidate receiving the majority of all votes cast pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-821.01 for that office at the August Election will be declared elected to the office for which the person is a candidate. A runoff election on November 3, 2026, may be held if there are an insufficient number of candidates who do not receive a majority of all votes cast at the August Election. Both the August 2026 Election and the November 2026 Election, if held, shall be a Polling Place election. On Election Day, the polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Note: The Arizona State Legislature is considering emergency legislation to move the primary date to July 28, 2026. If this legislation is enacted, a new Public Notice will be issued with revised timelines. CANDIDATE PACKET DISTRIBUTION: January 5, 2026 Packets containing information describing requirements to become a candidate for this election become available for pickup at the Office of the Town Clerk on January 5, 2026. A Statement of Interest must be filed with the Town Clerk prior to circulating petitions. CANDIDATE FILING BEGINS No earlier than MARCH 9, 2026 CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE: No later than 5:00 p.m., APRIL 6, 2026 A candidate must file a nomination paper, nomination petition and financial disclosure statement with the Town Clerk, 303 N. Beeline Highway, Payson, Arizona 85541. WRITE-IN CANDIDATE DEADLINE No later than 5:00 p.m. on JUNE 5, 2026 A write-in candidate must file a nomination paper and financial disclosure statement with the Town Clerk, 303 N. Beeline Highway, Payson, Arizona 85541.Write-in candidates do not have their name listed on the ballot. DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR AUGUST ELECTION: If you are not already registered to vote, you must do so no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 6, 2026 EARLY VOTING BEGINS July 8, 2026 DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN EARLY BALLOT BY MAIL July 24, 2026 For voters who are not on the Active Early Voting List. HOW TO OBTAIN AN EARLY BALLOT FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION: The Gila County Elections Department will conduct the Town of Payson Primary Election. The County will send notices to voters on the Active Early Voting List 90 days prior to the election to provide information about voter registration and how to obtain a ballot. Although the Payson Mayor and Council election is non-partisan, the Town election is held on the same day as partisan statewide and legislative elections. Therefore, voters not registered with a political party (independents) must select a ballot for the County to provide you with the primary ballot of your choice. For voters registered WITH A POLITICAL PARTY: if you are on the Active Early Voting List, you will automatically receive your party ballot by mail on or after July 8, 2026. For voters NOT REGISTERED WITH A POLITICAL PARTY (INDEPENDENTS) who vote by mail: You will not receive a mail ballot unless you respond to the County’s 90-day notice (issued in May 2026) with your choice of political party ballot for the Primary Election. To receive your Primary ballot by mail, you must select a political party ballot and respond to the County no later than June 20, 2026. Choosing a political party ballot for the Primary Election does NOT change your political party affiliation in your voter registration record. If you are not on Active Early Voting List and would like to make a one-time request for a ballot-by-mail, contact Gila County Recorder’s Office at 1-800-291-4452 or 928-474-7139 or submit a request online at https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/government/recorder/early_ballot_request.php If you will not be in Payson when ballots are mailed, contact the Gila County Recorder’s Office at 1-800-291-4452 or 928-474-7139 to have your ballot mailed to a different location. DEADLINE FOR FILING ARGUMENTS 5:00 PM, May 6, 2026 A publicity pamphlet pertaining to the alternative expenditure limitation will be available by the date that early voting begins. Arguments supporting or opposing the proposition to be printed in the publicity pamphlet must be filed by 5:00 p.m., May 6, 2026, at the Office of the Town Clerk. Arguments may not exceed 300 words in length and must contain the sworn statement of each person sponsoring it. If sponsored by an organization, it shall contain the sworn statement of two executive officers thereof. If sponsored by a political committee, the argument shall contain the sworn statement of the committee’s chairman or treasurer. The address and phone number for each signer must be on the argument but will not be printed in the publicity pamphlet. A payment of $150 per argument is required to offset a portion of the cost of printing the publicity pamphlet.