Arizona

It takes days to finalize election results in Arizona. Here’s why

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2024

Press Room

It takes days to finalize election results in Arizona. Here’s why

It’s the never-fail complaint the day after an Arizona election: It takes so long to get results.

“Why is Arizona so far behind in counting votes?” a Reddit user asked journalists from The Arizona Republic in an AMA conversation Wednesday.

Blame the early ballots that get dropped off on Election Day at the polls. Stir in increasingly competitive contests, and it adds up to days’ worth of waiting for a definitive result. Maricopa County estimated vote counting would run 10-13 days before every ballot is counted.

But help is on the way, if voters are willing to exercise a little patience.

A speedier option

Starting in 2026, voters who are rushing to drop off their early ballot on Election Day have the option of showing their ID at the polls, opening their early ballot envelope on site and feeding the ballot into the vote-counting machine.

That way, the ballot will get immediately recorded, saving hours of time that currently goes to checking the validity of the voter signature on the ballot envelope.

This is the result of a bipartisan bill lawmakers approved in February. It’s intended to speed up the voting counting process.

But there’s a hitch: It’s optional and it remains to be seen if voters showing up close to the voting deadline will slow down to stand in a line and show ID.

Rep. Alexander Kolodin, who sponsored the bill that made the change, said if voters understand that the tradeoff of taking a few extra minutes at the polls would speed up results, the new procedure could end many of the complaints.

“The more voters who choose to present ID, it can only be a plus,” the Scottsdale Republican said. He noted voter behavior can shift quickly: He pointed to GOP voters, who four years ago were urged to spurn early voting. This year, they got the opposite message and they embraced it.

That was proven by returns that showed Republicans outpacing Democrats in turning in their early ballots early.

Days of waiting is routine

The delay that has become a hallmark of Arizona elections is due to the many options Arizona offers its voters. They can get a mail-in ballot and return it via the mail, pop it in a drop box, or take it in person to an early voting center.

Then there’s the late-early voter.

“We have a substantial number of voters who take their early ballot and they kind of keep it on their kitchen counter for like three weeks, ” Kolodin said.

As Election Day nears, they realize they haven’t voted and they use yet another option: dropping it off at the polls. It’s quick and easy; they can avoid the line and deposit their sealed ballot in a box at the local vote center.

But those ballots take time to process because election officials have to verify that the signature on the ballot envelope matches that on the voting register. Verification can take time, especially if there are questions about the signature. The law allows five days to “cure” such ballots.

On Tuesday, 225,118 early ballots got dropped off at the vote centers in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous.

There’s also the factor of close elections. The Arizona state legislative races this year are a prime example. As of late Wednesday afternoon, Senate candidates in the east Phoenix/Scottsdale Legislative District 4 are separated by just 38 votes with 700,000 ballots yet to be counted in Maricopa County.

Two years ago, it took until late December for Democrat Kris Mayes to be declared state attorney general. She won by 280 votes after an automatic recount.

Donald Trump holds a 112,176-vote lead over Kamala Harris in the race where 2.3 million votes have been cast thus far and hundreds of thousands of Arizona ballots have yet to be counted.

Make early ballots come in early

Kolodin said he’s toying with legislation that could further accelerate the vote count.

It would require all early ballots to be returned in advance of Election Day, such as the Friday before. That would give county election officials time to verify the voter signature on the envelopes and get the ballots ready for tabulation ahead of the Election Day rush.

If a ballot were not in by that cutoff date, the voter would have to go to the polls on Election Day to cast a ballot.

It’s an idea that’s been broached before. It takes away one of the very convenient aspects of Arizona voting. But it would reduce the complaints and queries that, for decades, have followed an Arizona election.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl.

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Arizona

Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Jan. 9-11

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Jan. 9-11

PHOENIX — From Phoenix stores being required to comply with a new shopping cart ordinance to a driver who fled police in a Mesa chase and more, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Jan. 9-11.

Phoenix stores required to comply with new shopping cart ordinance

Phoenix stores that provide shopping carts to their customers must complete an annual certification to comply with the city’s new shopping cart ordinance.

The new ordinance, which will go into effect on Thursday, is being implemented to reduce the number of abandoned shopping carts in neighborhoods, sidewalks and other public spaces, according to a news release.

If any store fails to comply by the Thursday deadline, those with a retrieval contract will be subject to a $25 fee for every cart returned by the city. A $50 fee will be charged to stores that don’t have a contract

Driver who fled police in Mesa chase hospitalized after crash

A driver who fled Mesa police and crashed early Saturday morning was hospitalized, and he faces arrest once released, authorities said.

Police attempted to stop the man shortly after 2 a.m. near Stewart Road and Southern Avenue. Instead of yielding to police lights and sirens, he fled at high speeds, according to Mesa Police Department spokesperson Jesse Macias.

Police spotted the driver traveling north on the Loop 101 and then east on Loop 202 before exiting onto University Drive.

He continued west on University Drive until he collided with a pole near 64th Street. Officers then took him into custody.

Construction to start on 2nd segment of I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project

The second part of construction for the Interstate 10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project is set to begin, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

This will be the second out of four segments of the project. The full I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project spans 26 miles of I-10 from the Loop 202 to north of Casa Grande. It is expected to be completed in 2029, according to the project’s general construction duration timeline.

Construction crews will work on the 10-mile stretch of I-10 in both directions from Gas Line Road to south of State Route 387, north of Casa Grande.

2026 Arizona Bike Week motorcycle rally and concert series returns

Arizona Bike Week is returning to WestWorld of Scottsdale for its 29th annual edition this spring.

Arizona Bike Week is set for April 8-12 (Wednesday-Sunday), with concerts each of the first four nights. Admission is free on Sunday.

General admission rally passes, which include access to all four concerts, are on sale now for $192.60, which includes taxes and fees. Upgraded front row experience passes are $390.86, while the top tier option with front stage and elevated deck viewing access is priced at $532.63.

Project to improve SR 347 south of Valley takes step forward with contractor

A project to improve State Route 347 south of the Valley took a step forward this week by selecting a contractor, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

Following an extensive review process, Sundt Construction was selected as the contractor for the SR 347 Improvement Project.

The project’s purpose is to revamp a 15-mile stretch of the highway between Interstate 10 and the city of Maricopa. The section of road runs through both Maricopa and Pinal counties, but for the most part is located within the Gila River Indian Community.

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Arizona

San Jose State transfer OL Nate Hale committed to Arizona and broke down his decision

Published

14 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

San Jose State transfer OL Nate Hale committed to Arizona and broke down his decision

After taking official visits to UCLA and Arizona over the last week, San Jose State offensive line transfer Nate Hale is headed to Tuscon to play for the Wildcats.

Hale said his familiarity with the Wildcat staff, who initially recruited him to San Jose State played a big role.

“UCLA was great and they’re definitely building something there but I committed to Arizona on my trip,” Hale said. “A lot of the staff there is the same staff that was at San Jose State my freshman year and it was great to see so many familiar faces.

“I love coach B (Brent Brennan), he was one of the first coaches to offer me out of high school. I love his energy, authenticity and his belief in me and I can’t wait to play for him and go block for Noah (Fifita).”

UA OL coach Josh Oglesby played a big tole in his decision as well.

“It’s always impossible to say no to coach O,” Hale said. “I’m so excited to play for him again and I ahve a great connection with their OC Seth Doege as well.

“It was a tough decision but me and my family talked and prayed about it and we felt that Arizona was the best all around fit for me.”

Hale is a player we saw a lot of out of high school where he prepped for state power Orange Lutheran (Calif.). He signed with the Spartans as part of the class of 2023 and started 10 games as a right tackle this past season.

“I’m going to stay at tackle at Arizona as well,” Hale said. “They said they want me to come in to compete and contribute immediately.

“That was my first time in Tucson and I loved the campus and awesome facilities. I know I can develop on and off the field so I’m really excited about my decision.”

Hale will have two years of eligibility left and has the game experience and all around skill set to be a potential plug and play tackle and compete for a starting spot right away.

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Arizona

Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

18-year-old Albane Cachot from Toulouse, France, has joined the Arizona State University women’s swimming and diving team mid-season. The Dauphins Toulouse OEC (the same club that produced Léon Marchand) product wasted no time adapting to short-course yards, winning the 50/100/200 free events in her first meet at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

Cachot made a name for herself in 2024, when she won the 50 free (25.45), 100 free (54.65), 200 free (1:59.18), and 50 fly (26.57) at the French Junior Championships in April. Two months later, she finaled in all four events at the French Elite Championships, placing 10th in the 50 free (25.43), 5th in the 100 free (54.61), 4th in the 200 free (2:00.34), and 7th in the 50 fly (26.95).

In 2025, she represented France at both the European Junior Championships in Šamorín, Slovakia, and the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. At Euro Juniors, she won gold in the women’s 100 free, clocking a lifetime-best 54.17. She also finished 7th in the 50 free (25.48) and 7th in the 200 free (2:00.46), and 5th in the 50 fly (26.51, a PB). Cachot swam on 3 of France’s relays at World Championships (women’s 4×100 free, mixed 4×100 free, and mixed 4×100 medley). She earned a bronze medal for her prelims role in France’s mixed 400 medley relay, and she joined Beryl Gastaldello, Marina Jehl, and Marie Wattel in the women’s 400 free relay final that placed 5th with a national record-breaking time of 3:34.62.

In her short-course yards debut on January 3 at the dual meet with Grand Canyon, Cachot put up a team-leading time in the 50 free (22.43). She ranks 3rd in the 200 free (1:46.38) behind Jordan Greber (1:45.14) and Grace Lindberg (1:45.43) and 4th in the 100 free (49.11) behind Greber (48.81), Shane Golland (48.98), and Gerda Szilagyi (49.05). Greber, Lindberg, and Golland achieved their times during the CSCAA Dual Challenges.

The CSCAA challenge meets was also where ASU notched their fastest relay times of the season so far. Without speculating as to what her flying start times might be, it is clear that even her flat start SCY times would have lowered the Sun Devils’ free relay times by a couple of tenths in the 4×50 and 4×100 and by 3 seconds in the 4×200. And her converted LCM times would have been of even greater value.

Best SCY times:

50 free – 22.43
100 free – 49.11
200 free – 1:46.38

Best LCM times (converted):

50 free – 25.31 (22.08)
100 free – 54.17 (47.36)
200 free – 1:59.18 (1:44.48)
50 fly – 26.51 (23.25)

Cachot is joining Arizona State’s class of 2029 with Alexia Sotomayor, Bella Scopel Tramontana, Cali Watts, Eleaunah Phillips, Jessie Carlson, Marley Lovick, and Ursula Ott. Avery Spade was also new this season, transferring in from Indiana.

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