Arizona Officials Say It May Take Nearly Two Weeks to Count Maricopa Votes for 2024 Election

As the 2024 election draws near, officials in Arizona's Maricopa County, a critical battleground area, have cautioned that vote tabulation could take between 10 to 13 days post-Election Day. This lengthy timeline is attributed to the ballot’s complexity, increased security measures, and the anticipated record turnout, especially given Arizona's crucial role in the presidential race.

Deputy Elections Director Jennifer Liewer explained that the multi-page ballot and dozens of closely contested races require a more thorough, meticulous counting process. Liewer emphasized that while election workers strive for a swift tabulation, accuracy and security remain paramount. Assistant County Manager Zach Schira echoed her remarks, urging voters to consider voting early or by mail to avoid potential Election Day lines. Over 2.1 million ballots are expected to be cast in Maricopa alone, with more than 400,000 early ballots already submitted by October 22. The county’s early-voting data shows that Republicans have a narrow lead over Democrats, heightening the stakes for both sides.

This approach to election counting follows measures taken in previous years when Arizona faced legal challenges from former President Donald Trump and his supporters, who questioned the 2020 results. While all litigation failed, Maricopa County officials have since increased transparency and bolstered security in response to national scrutiny and past controversies. Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates indicated that the two-week estimate reflects efforts to ensure ballot legitimacy and transparency in a politically charged environment.

Arizona has historically attracted attention during presidential elections due to its swing state status, with both parties seeing it as a potential tipping point in close races. In 2020, President Joe Biden won Arizona by a slim margin, securing the state’s 11 electoral votes by just 11,000 votes, a result that sparked prolonged audits and recounts led by Trump supporters, who asserted fraud without evidence. Those claims were dismissed by both state courts and the U.S. Justice Department after extensive reviews.

The upcoming election also marks a significant point for Arizona's election administrators, given the new voting guidelines that expand early-voting and mail-in options. Arizona voters can cast early ballots up to 27 days before Election Day, and officials have asked residents to consider these options to help prevent bottlenecks on November 5. Voters have until October 25 to request an early ballot, and county officials have taken to social media to encourage this to expedite the final tabulation process.

In anticipation of Election Day challenges, Maricopa County has implemented additional election security measures, which include enhanced staff training and a new set of printers designed to handle the high volume of ballots. As Gates noted, with the two-page ballot and many contentious races, voters can expect a meticulous process rather than a rapid result.

The 2024 race has already drawn intense interest in Arizona, with high-profile candidates from both parties focusing on the state as key to their electoral strategies. Arizona State University in Tempe recently hosted a rally by Donald Trump, where he addressed his Arizona supporters, criticizing election procedures and challenging his opponents in the GOP and Democratic Party alike. In September, Vice President Kamala Harris made an Arizona visit to emphasize the Biden administration’s commitment to border security and climate issues, signaling the significance both parties place on the state.

While Maricopa’s officials have worked to counter any narrative that delays are indicative of fraud or error, public patience remains essential. Arizona officials aim to ensure every ballot cast is accurately counted, aiming to uphold public confidence in a state frequently embroiled in electoral controversies.

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