Canvass Kicks Off Arizona’s Recount Amidst Nail-Biting Democratic Primary Showdown

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors officially certified the primary election results on Monday, paving the way for a recount in the closely contested Democratic primary for Congressional District 3. With just 42 votes separating the leading candidates, former Phoenix City Council member Yassamin Ansari holds a narrow lead over former state lawmaker Raquel Terán, a difference of less than 0.5 percentage points that triggers a recount under Arizona law.

This certification marks a crucial step required before Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ office can initiate the recount process. After confirming the need for a recount, Fontes’ office will petition the Maricopa County Superior Court for authorization to proceed.

The winner of this Democratic primary will face Republican Jeff Zink in the upcoming general election in November. This open congressional seat, which leans Democratic, became available after U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego opted to run for the U.S. Senate seat, challenging Republican Kari Lake.

In the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, often referred to as “The Valley,” a significant population resides. The region, which includes major cities like Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Tempe, boasts a combined population of 4,845,832, according to the 2020 Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the United States, trailing behind regions such as Boston and Atlanta.

Maricopa County itself is the fourth largest county in the U.S. by population, housing approximately 4,485,414 residents. This area encompasses about 63% of Arizona’s population and stretches across 9,224 square miles, surpassing the total land area of several states including Rhode Island and Delaware.

In addition to its population, Maricopa County is home to one of the largest park systems in the nation, featuring around 120,000 acres of open space, nature centers, and extensive trail networks. The county’s seat, located in Phoenix, also serves as the state capital and ranks as the fifth most populous city in the country. Maricopa County was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.