City Council Set to Finalize Election Results After Voter Turnout Hits a Meager 22%

A voter smiles while leaving a precinct in the Villages at Rancho El Dorado on July 30, 2024. [Victor Moreno]

Last week’s primary election saw more than 10,000 Maricopans voting against changes in city government, with official results soon to be finalized. The city council has scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in council chambers to certify outcomes for the mayoral race, city council seats, and Proposition 482. This session will include a discussion followed by a vote.

Mayor Nancy Smith secured her position by winning over challenger Leon Potter with a margin exceeding 2,300 votes. Potter conceded yesterday but indicated he might pursue public office again in the future.

Incumbent council members will continue to serve, as Amber Liermann, Eric Goettl, and Bob Marsh defeated their challengers, Chrystal Allen O’Jon and Le’On Willis, by large margins.

Additionally, voters approved Proposition 482 by 926 votes. This contentious measure permits the city of Maricopa to sell 728 acres of municipally-owned land to finance community and economic development projects aimed at creating local jobs and boosting the economy.

In total, 10,425 Maricopans participated in the primary elections, reflecting a turnout of just 22% of the city’s 46,427 registered voters as reported by Pinal County on July 1. A minor increase of 3.9% in voter turnout could have significantly impacted the city council election results, which ostensibly appeared to be a landslide.