Flagstaff Voters Head to Polls on Election Day

Vote centers in and around Flagstaff were busy Tuesday as Northern Arizona residents cast ballots in races including the Congressional District 2 contest.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a lone ballot box on a sandstone plinth beneath a distant mesa, evoking a quiet local election. — Voters in Flagstaff cast ballots Tuesday in the Arizona governor and Congressional District 2 races, with about 80% of state voters already returning ballots by mail. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Northern Arizona voters cast ballots at vote centers in and around Flagstaff on Election Day, with about 80% of Arizona voters casting their ballots by mail. Voters interviewed at polling locations explained their choices in the governor and congressional races.

Why it matters

Arizona's Congressional District 2 is rural and favors Republicans, and polling just ahead of Election Day showed a close race between incumbent Eli Crane and Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez. Voters in Flagstaff weighed issues including housing affordability and gas prices in their decisions.

About 80% of Arizona voters cast their ballots by mail, while Flagstaff vote centers saw in-person turnout on Tuesday. The close polling margin between Eli Crane and Jonathan Nez in Congressional District 2 had not been resolved at the time of reporting.

The players

Eli Crane

Eli Crane is the Republican incumbent representing Arizona's Congressional District 2.

Jonathan Nez

Jonathan Nez is a former Navajo Nation president and the Democratic challenger in Arizona's Congressional District 2.

Katie Hobbs

Katie Hobbs is the Democratic governor of Arizona seeking a second term.

Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs is the Republican nominee for governor of Arizona.

The details

Voters cast ballots in person at vote centers including Coconino Community College, Evergreen Church, and the Flagstaff Aquaplex. Voters interviewed said their choices were shaped by issues including Native American representation, education and spending records, girls' locker room safety, and rising living and fuel costs.

Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when vote centers in Northern Arizona were open to voters.

Political Context

Arizona's Congressional District 2 is a rural district that has historically favored Republicans, making the close polling between Eli Crane and Jonathan Nez a notable departure from that pattern. Opposition voices in Flagstaff cited Katie Hobbs's record on education, vetoes, and spending as reasons for opposing her candidacy.

Voters in Flagstaff weighed direct costs, including diesel at approximately $7 per gallon and a full tank near $160, as well as housing costs estimated around $200 a month. These pressures shaped how some residents evaluated local and congressional candidates.

The takeaway

Residents deciding how to vote often weigh everyday costs like fuel and housing alongside party platforms, so reviewing candidate positions on those specific issues before an election can clarify choices.