Bipartisan Momentum Builds for Swift Ballot Processing Reform

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona politicians are uniting in their call for major reforms to the state’s elections system. This week, Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin released a proposal aimed at expediting the tabulation of ballots, with an ambitious target of having 95% of results counted by election night.

Galvin’s reform agenda includes several key initiatives. Among them are advancing the cutoff date for early ballot drop-offs, utilizing government buildings as polling sites, and eliminating emergency voting on the Saturday and Monday prior to Election Day. Instead, he advocates for increased in-person voting options.

In his announcement, Galvin expressed gratitude to election staff and community volunteers for their hard work in administering the 2024 elections. He acknowledged the prevailing criticism towards these dedicated individuals and emphasized the need for practical changes. Collaborative discussions with Republican leaders in the Arizona Legislature, he noted, indicate a shared understanding of the urgency for reform.

“We can significantly speed up the process,” said Galvin, “and have nearly 95% of ballots tabulated by election night.” He urged the Arizona Legislature to prioritize his “95/1 Plan” in 2025, emphasizing a commitment to improve the efficiency of the voting process.

Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott voiced support for Galvin’s proposals, highlighting the common concerns both supervisors share despite their party differences. He called for the new legislature to seriously consider these reforms upon its convening in January.

Incoming Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart also expressed his endorsement on social media, stressing the necessity of efficient and transparent elections to maintain public trust. He looks forward to working with fellow supervisors and state legislators to push for legislation that ensures prompt finalization of election results.

Galvin’s proposals come in light of ongoing criticisms regarding delayed vote counting, which has affected several counties in recent elections. Senate President Warren Petersen has been particularly vocal, advocating for a shift to a model similar to Florida’s, which imposes an earlier cutoff for early ballot drop-off.

Petersen remarked on social media about the need to avoid past delays and hinted at newfound support from counties previously opposed to advancing election results. However, any reforms still face potential challenges from Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed similar measures in the past. If the governor continues to reject proposed changes, Arizona legislators may need to present these issues to voters in upcoming elections.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.