Maricopa County Kicks Off 2024 General Election Season

By Matthew Holloway |

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer announced on his personal account on ‘X’ that his office has commenced the process of receiving ballots under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). So far, the office has processed 200 ballots, marking the official start of the 2024 General Election in the county.

In his announcement, Richer stated, “The 2024 General Election is officially underway here in Maricopa County!” He also revealed the establishment of three remote recording kiosks located at the Sun City Library, Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, and Georgia T. Lord Library in Goodyear. These kiosks aim to facilitate easier access for voters.

As of Monday, Maricopa County boasts an active voter registration total of 2.512 million. The breakdown includes approximately 883,494 registered Republicans, 719,324 Democrats, and 868,825 Independents. Smaller parties, like the Libertarians and Green Party, have 18,715 and 2,120 members, respectively.

According to a press release from Maricopa County Elections, a total voter turnout of around 2.1 million is anticipated for the upcoming election. It is expected that half of these voters will participate by mail, while the other half will either vote early in person or on Election Day. The county plans to operate 246 Vote Centers and hire more than 3,000 election workers to ensure a smooth voting process.

This year, voters will have a comprehensive ballot that includes decisions on 144 elected offices, the retention of 45 judges, and 76 ballot measures, which feature 13 statewide propositions. Jennifer Liewer, the Deputy Elections Director for Communications, has emphasized the importance of voters preparing in advance due to the two-page ballot format. She suggested that voters consider mailing their ballots or attending early voting to avoid lengthy lines on Election Day.

Richer, embroiled in controversy since his removal from office, recently defended his stance on the legitimacy of past elections in an interview with TIME, asserting that the 2020 election was not stolen. This claim remains contentious within the political landscape, particularly among GOP members. His replacement, Arizona State Rep. Justin Heap, has previously criticized Richer’s handling of election integrity and has asserted the need for “Restoring Voter Confidence.”

Heap has voiced concerns over the current voting system, accusing the previous administration of not adhering to election rules and maintaining that the signature verification process for mail-in ballots was insufficient. “I do not trust the system as it is currently being operated,” he asserted.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.