Yavapai Recorder Says Trump Not on 2026 Ballot
The Yavapai County Recorder posted a notice clarifying that the president does not appear on this year's midterm ballot after voters asked about it.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you plan to vote in Arizona's November 3 midterm election?
The Yavapai County Recorder posted a Facebook notice on October 30, 2026, stating the president is not on the ballot for the midterm election. The notice followed questions from voters after Trump told rally attendees in Bullhead City to pretend he was on the ballot.
Why it matters
Arizona's 2026 contest is a midterm with no presidential pick, and the recorder's notice aims to reduce confusion before Election Day. Clear election information helps voters understand what is actually being decided this November.
As of October 31, Yavapai County had received 88,567 early ballots, and roughly 1.5 million ballots had been returned statewide. Trump won 66% of the vote in Yavapai County in the 2024 presidential race, but no presidential contest appears on this year's ballot.
The players
Michelle Burchill
Burchill is the Yavapai County Recorder who issued the Facebook notice clarifying that the president is not on the 2026 ballot.
Donald Trump
Trump is the current President of the United States, whose October 14 Bullhead City rally comments prompted voter questions about the ballot.
The details
Yavapai County Recorder Michelle Burchill posted the notice on Facebook after the recorder's office received many questions from voters who thought the president was on the ballot. The notice came two weeks after Trump told supporters at an October 14 rally in Bullhead City, Mohave County, to pretend he was on the ballot. Early voting in Arizona ended October 30.
Timeline
- October 14, 2026: Trump rally in Bullhead City urges supporters to pretend he is on the ballot.
- October 30, 2026: Yavapai County recorder posts notice; Arizona early voting ends.
- November 3, 2026: Arizona Election Day.
Election Calendar
Presidential elections occur every four years, with the last held in 2024 and the next scheduled for 2028, so 2026 is a midterm cycle. The Yavapai notice reflects how the gap between presidential and midterm ballots can create voter confusion when a candidate remains in public focus.
Voters should confirm which races appear on their ballot before Election Day, since no presidential contest is on the 2026 ballot. Early ballots had to be returned by the close of early voting on October 30, so remaining voters should plan to vote in person on November 3.
The takeaway
A quick check of your sample ballot before November 3 can prevent confusion about which races are actually being decided this year.
What happens next
Election Day is November 3, 2026, when Arizona voters will decide the midterm races on the ballot.
Further reading
For more on how ballots are set for each cycle, see Elections coverage across Arizona.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZ Central.
Live Poll
Do you plan to vote in Arizona's November 3 midterm election?
