Maricopa County Official Reverses Stance on Botched Elections, Urges Reforms

Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin has introduced a plan aimed at improving Arizona’s election processes, particularly focusing on speeding up ballot counting. Galvin, who previously defended the county’s election system, now believes procedural tweaks could allow for as much as 95% of votes to be tallied on election night.

In a proposal dubbed the “95/1 Plan,” Galvin urges Governor Katie Hobbs to prioritize these reforms with the Arizona Legislature for 2025. Citing the lengthy eleven-day wait for unofficial results in the recent election, he asserts that Arizona can enhance voter confidence by adopting his recommendations.

“There is growing concern from the public about ballot tabulation times,” Galvin noted in a statement. “Sensible changes are necessary to speed up processing while maintaining the integrity of early voting, which is widely used by Arizonans.”

The plan suggests moving the early ballot drop-off deadline from the Friday before Election Day to an earlier date and eliminating emergency voting on the weekends prior to elections. In its place, Galvin proposes the use of government buildings as polling locations.

“By implementing these changes, we can significantly improve efficiency,” he emphasized. “I am committed to working with county and state leaders to advance this initiative.”

Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott has shown support for Galvin’s proposal, recognizing bipartisan agreement on the necessity for reform. Scott stated, “These timely ideas should be given serious consideration when the new Legislature convenes.”

Mark Stewart, another Maricopa County Supervisor, reinforced the importance of transparent elections, affirming his commitment to collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure timely results. “Our voters deserve a process that reflects both competence and integrity,” he said.

Governor Hobbs, however, has signaled opposition to changes in early voting deadlines, asserting, “Any moves that make it harder for Arizonans to vote are a no for me.” She has emphasized maintaining flexibility in early voting options.

Galvin responded to concerns about voter disenfranchisement, suggesting that adapting to a new ballot drop-off schedule would not negatively impact voters. He described the proposal as a necessary adjustment in voter behavior.

Addressing the handling of emergency voting, Galvin clarified that in-person voting options would still be available, albeit limited to true emergencies that require official documentation.

Notably, Galvin’s suggestion to utilize government buildings for polling aligns with recommendations from Governor Hobbs’ 2023 election task force, which already authorized state buildings for polling uses.

As the discussion about election reforms in Arizona unfolds, both supporters and adversaries express a shared goal: to enhance the electoral process for all constituents.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for the latest updates.