4 Strategies Arizona Can Employ to Accelerate Election Results

In a move reflecting increasing impatience over election result timelines, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen expressed concerns about the delay in counting ballots following the recent election, where several races remain unresolved four days post-vote. He announced plans to champion new legislation aimed at delivering faster election results.

Petersen’s remarks came amid escalating national scrutiny of Arizona, a key battleground state, where close contests often leave candidates and voters on edge as they await final tallies. Delays in vote counting have been notable this election cycle, particularly in rural counties known for their efficiency in processing ballots.

A bipartisan consensus appears to be forming around the need for swifter results. Both Petersen, a Republican, and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, alongside numerous state lawmakers and Maricopa County supervisors, are prioritizing this issue in the upcoming legislative session.

The proposed solutions largely focus on one area: the state law permitting voters to drop off early ballots at polling places on election day. This practice, while popular among hundreds of thousands of voters, is a primary factor behind the extended ballot counting timeline.

Amidst discussions on potential legislative changes, Governor Katie Hobbs has indicated a firm stance against any measures that could restrict voting access. This complicates efforts to alter early voting procedures, leaving lawmakers to explore alternatives that may not alienate voter advocacy groups.

Among the ideas being floated, reducing the physical size of the ballot emerges as a practical consideration. The lengthy ballot presented in eight counties during the recent elections required substantial processing time, largely due to the inclusion of numerous legislative propositions.

Moreover, investing in technological upgrades, such as ballot-opening machines, could streamline operations significantly. Current procedures in many counties involve extensive manual labor, which prolongs the counting process. Enhanced equipment has been shown to expedite this task in other regions.

Hiring additional personnel could also alleviate the workload on election staff. Smaller counties, particularly affected by staffing shortages, found it challenging to manage the influx of ballots, leading to delays in certification of results.

As discussions advance, Arizona’s election officials and lawmakers are under pressure to implement functional reforms. Whether through legislative changes, technology upgrades, or increased staffing, the goal is clear: to provide voters with timely and transparent election outcomes.