2024 Races Face Recount Drama, Including High-Stakes Legislative Seat

As the dust settles on the recent elections, recount season has officially commenced in Arizona due to a law implemented in 2022 that broadened the scope for triggering recounts in closely contested races.

In Maricopa County, three races are poised for a recount: the Fountain Hills Town Council, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors District 3, and the State Representative for Legislative District 2. Meanwhile, Pima County’s Sheriff election and a city council race in Page, Coconino County, are also likely to face recounts.

Under this law, endorsed by former Governor Doug Ducey, an automatic recount is mandated when candidates differ by a margin of 0.5% or less. Each contest must obtain a court order affirming its eligibility for a recount, a significant change from the prior rule requiring a margin of under 0.1%.

Before a recount is executed, local councils must verify its necessity and petition a superior court judge for an order. The previous election cycle, influenced by this legislation, prompted several recounts, none of which altered the outcomes.

In Legislative District 2, the margin between candidates stands at a mere 0.08%, equivalent to 132 votes, which guarantees an automatic recount. Notably, despite only 17,106 ballots being cast for the Fountain Hills council, Maricopa County will have to recount all 2 million ballots due to the lack of precinct sorting.

The following races are set for recount following the official election certification:

– Maricopa County Board of Supervisors District 3: Kate Brophy McGee (R) and Daniel Valenzuela (D) are separated by 0.04%.

– State Representative for Legislative District 2: Justin Wilmeth (R) and Ari Daniel Bradshaw (R) are separated by 0.08%.

– Fountain Hills Town Council: Matthew Corrigan and Clayton Corey are separated by 0.03%.

– Pima County Sheriff: Chris Nanos (D) and Heather Lappin (R) are separated by 0.2%.

– Page City Council: Tom Sunshine Preller and John Kocjan are separated by 0.12%.

During the recount process, electronic voting equipment will undergo thorough logic and accuracy testing, and paper ballots will be re-tabulated. In addition, state law mandates a hand-count audit for various precincts, with precincts and 5% of vote centers scrutinized by election officials and bipartisan representatives.