Write-In Independent Candidate · U.S. House, Arizona's 1st Congressional District · November 3, 2026 · 777
🗓 ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 · POLLS OPEN 6 AM – 7 PM · WRITE THE NAME EXACTLY AND FILL IN THE OVAL
🌵
Arizona CD-1 — U.S. House
Gage Dylan Thunder is a declared write-in candidate (filing no. thunder-gage-25148-30941). Your write-in vote is counted for a declared candidate — as long as you write the name exactly and mark the write-in oval.
⚡ Write-In Key Fact
Arizona counts write-in votes only for declared (qualified) write-in candidates. Gage Dylan Thunder is declared for Congressional District 1. Do both of these on the U.S. House line: (1) fill in the write-in oval, and (2) print GAGE DYLAN THUNDER on the write-in line.
In-Person Voting — Step by Step
1
Find Your Vote Center or Polling Place
Look up your location at my.arizona.vote or your county recorder's site (for Maricopa County: recorder.maricopa.gov). Many counties use vote centers where you can vote at any location in the county on Election Day. Polls are open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If you are in line by 7:00 PM, you can still vote.
💡 Arizona requires ID at the polls. Bring one photo ID, or two forms of non-photo ID (such as a utility bill and a bank statement).
2
Confirm You Are Voting in Congressional District 1
Your ballot should include "U.S. Representative in Congress — District 1." If you are not sure which district you live in, check your sample ballot or the voter lookup at my.arizona.vote before you go.
3
Find the U.S. House Race on Your Ballot
You will see the printed candidates for District 1 and, at the bottom of that race, a write-in line with an oval.
⚠ Vote for only ONE candidate in this race. Marking a printed candidate AND the write-in oval is an overvote and the race will not count.
4
Fill In the Write-In Oval
Fill in the oval next to the write-in line completely, using the marking pen you were given.
5
Print Exactly: GAGE DYLAN THUNDER
Print the name clearly on the write-in line. Exact spelling guarantees your vote is read correctly.
How Your Ballot Looks — Arizona Example
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS — DISTRICT 1 Vote for One
Printed candidate (party)
Printed candidate (party)
Printed candidate (party)
Write-in:GAGE DYLAN THUNDER
The gold row shows the write-in oval filled in and the name printed on the line. Your ballot's layout may differ slightly — follow the instructions printed on it.
✅ Write: GAGE DYLAN THUNDER — all caps is fine. Do not add symbols such as ⚡.
⚠ Do NOT write "Thunder," "GDT," or a social handle. Use the full name: GAGE DYLAN THUNDER.
6
Review and Cast Your Ballot
Check that only one oval is filled in for this race and that the name is legible. Feed your ballot into the tabulator. If the machine flags a problem, ask a poll worker for help.
💡 If you make a mistake before casting, ask a poll worker for a replacement ballot. You are entitled to one.
✅ After You Vote
Post a photo of your "I Voted" sticker with the hashtags below. You don't have to say who you voted for — just that you showed up.
📅 Critical Arizona Dates — 2026 General Election
Voter registration deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026 Early voting begins: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Early ballot request deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM In-person early voting ends: Friday, October 30, 2026 Election Day polls: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Always confirm dates and your location with your county recorder or azsos.gov, as rules and hours can change.
✉
Early Ballot — Mail or Drop-Off
Voting early follows the same two rules as voting in person: fill in the write-in oval and print the name.
Arizona Early Ballot — Step by Step
1
📋
Make Sure You Have a Ballot
Request an early ballot from your county recorder by October 23, 2026 (5:00 PM), or check your status at my.arizona.vote. Many voters are on the Active Early Voting List already.
2
🖊
Fill In the Oval
In the District 1 U.S. House race, fill in the write-in oval completely with a black or blue pen.
3
✍
Print the Name
Print GAGE DYLAN THUNDER clearly on the write-in line. Vote for only one candidate in the race.
4
📬
Sign and Return
Seal the ballot in the affidavit envelope and sign it — an unsigned envelope cannot be counted. Return by 7:00 PM on November 3, 2026.
Where to Return Your Ballot
Drop it at any official ballot drop box or vote center in your county, or hand it in at a polling location on Election Day. If you mail it, send it several days early — election officials recommend mailing in late October. A ballot that arrives after 7:00 PM on Election Day does not count, regardless of the postmark.
⚠ Common Mistakes That Can Void Your Vote
Writing the name but not filling in the write-in oval, or filling in the oval without writing the name
Marking a printed candidate AND the write-in oval in the same race
Forgetting to sign the affidavit envelope
Missing the 7:00 PM Election Day deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my write-in vote for Thunder be counted?
Yes. Gage Dylan Thunder is a declared write-in candidate for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, and Arizona counts write-in votes for declared candidates. Fill in the write-in oval and print the name on the line. Minor spelling variations may still be counted if the voter's intent is clear, but exact spelling is safest.
Is a write-in vote "wasted"?
No. Every valid vote is counted and reported. A write-in vote is a real vote for a real candidate with a published platform — and a clear message that voters want an independent, party-free voice in Congress.
What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
In person: before you cast it, ask a poll worker for a replacement ballot. By early ballot: contact your county recorder right away, before the deadline. Once a ballot is cast, it cannot be changed.
What if I already returned my early ballot?
Once your early ballot has been received and accepted, it cannot be changed. You can track it at my.arizona.vote.
What if I'm not registered?
The registration deadline for this election was October 5, 2026. Check your status at my.arizona.vote. If you missed it, you can still help by sharing these instructions with registered friends and family.
Which district am I in?
Arizona's 1st Congressional District covers parts of the Phoenix area, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and surrounding communities. Look at your sample ballot or the lookup at my.arizona.vote — if your ballot lists "Representative in Congress — District 1," you can vote for Thunder.
How do I help others vote for Thunder?
Share this page · Post the hashtags below · Print these instructions · Text the link to friends and family in Arizona's 1st Congressional District · Share in community groups and neighborhood apps
Share These Instructions — Help Every Vote Count
Copy and paste these hashtags with any post about how to vote for Thunder: