Concerns are brewing over possible Election Day voting issues in Maricopa County, Arizona, prompting warnings from Republican figures.
With the general election approaching, officials in Maricopa County announced the likelihood of delays in ballot tabulation, raising worries about voter accessibility and results timing, as Just the News reports, and while GOP officials have sounded the alarm about potential fraud, the Kamala Harris campaign has remained quiet about the potential issue.
Republican concerns have been voiced by both state and national leaders regarding Maricopa County's preparedness for the upcoming election. In a letter to the county's Recorder’s Office and Board of Supervisors, lawyer Harmeet Dhillon and Abe Hamadeh articulated fears of potential long delays and machine failures on Election Day. They argue that the county's expectation of voters spending approximately 12 minutes at the polls is overly optimistic. Dhillon and Hamadeh indicated that voters could take much longer due to the two-page double-sided ballot, which is longer than usual.
Scott Jarrett, the Maricopa County elections director, expressed concerns over the potential for ballot tabulation machines to jam because of the ballot's length. Poll workers are receiving extra training to handle any equipment issues that may arise. Despite these efforts, the previous primary election in July 2024 saw equipment problems, including printer jams, which remain a concern for Republicans. The letter from Dhillon and Hamadeh highlights these past failures as a warning of what could recur this November.
Additionally, Hamadeh noted a reduction in voting centers near Paradise Valley Community College, known for high voter turnout. Alongside these worries, Hamadeh and the Republican National Committee are seeking an emergency meeting with Maricopa County officials. They aim to explore ways to boost voter processing capacity, suggesting backup machines and more voting secrecy booths as potential solutions.
Despite concerns, over 400,000 Maricopa County residents have already submitted early ballots. The county projects over two million voters will cast ballots in total. According to Maricopa County officials, Arizona law includes a 5-day period for voters to verify their identity if questioned, which extends the counting process.
This delay in announcing election results isn't new to the region. Historical data shared by the county indicates that it typically takes up to 13 days to conclude ballot tabulations post-election. GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake, a high-profile critic, questioned the delayed tabulation, arguing that it conflicts with a law implemented in 2022 meant to expedite the process.
Jason Snead of the Honest Elections Project raised concerns that results might be delayed further if races are close, emphasizing the volume of mail ballots dropped on Election Day. This last-minute influx of ballots could extend the time needed to finalize results, exacerbating any potential delays.
Dhillon and Hamadeh emphasized the importance of avoiding voter disenfranchisement by ensuring efficient processing on Election Day. Their letter calls for measures to better manage long lines and limit voter frustration.
Along with Hamadeh, Dhillon asserted that the persistence of any preventable issues on Election Day could undermine confidence in the system. The two put forth possible solutions like deploying backup machines and informing voters about potential issues as necessary steps for improvement.
This isn't the first time Arizona has faced significant election management challenges. A 2018 report by the Washington Post on national voting irregularities mentioned similar issues with equipment malfunctions and delayed polling place openings in Arizona.
Maricopa County plays a critical role in election outcomes due to its size and voter population. The county's handling of elections often draws scrutiny and sets precedents for the state.
As November approaches, Maricopa County faces both logistical challenges and political scrutiny. County officials continue to work on mitigating potential challenges with additional training and equipment readiness as the election draws near.
