The ability to count votes quickly after an election in Arizona is largely dependent on how many people vote early. Maricopa County officials stated that it takes 10 to 13 days to count all votes, including a curing period, based on state laws. The process will be quicker if fewer people turn in “late early” ballots, which are mail-in ballots brought in on Election Day. In order to speed up the process, it is recommended that those planning to vote on Election Day should do so in person, as those ballots are counted on site at polling places.
Arizona’s laws allow for greater flexibility and consideration for voters compared to other states, providing a delay in reporting results but ensuring that more legal votes are included in the final tally. The county’s tabulation process also includes a 5-day grace period to verify provisional ballots and questioned early-ballot signatures. This is different from states like Florida, where voters cannot drop off absentee ballots on Election Day, resulting in quicker results. Maricopa County is the second-largest voting jurisdiction in the country, behind Los Angeles County.
Both Democrats and Republicans in Arizona are encouraging early voting to ensure a strong turnout. Former President Bill Clinton recently spoke at an event in Phoenix urging people to vote early, emphasizing the importance of turnout in elections. Clinton was one of the last Democrats to win Arizona before President Biden in 2020. Early voting is being pushed by both sides of the aisle, with former President Trump also planning on voting early. The Arizona Republican Party has sent out mailers featuring Trump to encourage early voting.
Republican and Democratic candidates in Arizona are heavily promoting early voting in the Senate race. Republican nominee Kari Lake and Democratic nominee Ruben Gallego are urging voters to submit their early ballots promptly. Arizona GOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda emphasized the importance of early voting in a video explaining the lengthy counting period. Voter turnout in Maricopa County is at 21.1% so far, with a significant advantage for Republican returns. The state has nearly a million total returns, indicating a high level of participation in early voting.
Polls show a very close race in Arizona, with former President Trump leading by 1 point in the battle for the state’s 11 electoral votes. Trump is actively campaigning in Arizona, with his son Donald Trump Jr. also making appearances. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz visited the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, while Republican senator J.D. Vance rallied in Peoria and Tucson. The intense campaigning and focus on early voting suggest that both parties see Arizona as a key state in the upcoming election. With the high voter turnout and emphasis on early voting, the final results in Arizona could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
