Voters have until 5 p.m. today to request an early ballot for the Nov. 4 election. After that, they’ll have until October 30 to return those ballots.

Daniel Ruiz is with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office. He says that so far, more than 1 million early ballots have been requested. Of those, only about 20 percent have been returned.

"Everybody waits to turn in their early ballots, because they’re waiting for that October surprise," Ruiz said. "We’d like to see them turn it in sooner, but that’s something strategic upon voters. If they want to wait until the end that is their prerogative… they can turn in their early ballot on Election Day at any polling place in Maricopa County."

Ruiz says that the County Recorder’s Office will not accept postmarks of early ballots.