Maricopa County Stands Firm on Fewer Voting Centers Amid Long Lines and Waits

By Staff Reporter |

Maricopa County officials maintain that their election plan is sufficiently robust to ensure all voters can participate, despite reports of prolonged wait times at polling places. The county board of supervisors and the recorder’s office made this assertion through the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) in response to a letter from GOP congressional candidate Abraham Hamadeh and the Republican National Committee (RNC).

Deputy County Attorney Joseph E. La Rue addressed this letter, pointing out what he viewed as missteps in the communication process. He noted that the concerns were submitted to the wrong office, stating, “We do not know how they do things in California, where you are barred.” He added that discussing representation without appropriate channels breaches ethical guidelines.

The letter from Hamadeh and the RNC prompted allegations that voters experienced longer ballot completion times than anticipated. While the county estimated an average of 12 minutes, reports suggested the actual time was closer to 15 minutes, attributed to the two-page ballot format. La Rue countered this claim, labeling the comparison as “inaccurate” and based on “outdated information.” He also dismissed the credibility of the data source as unreliable.

Furthermore, La Rue emphasized the county’s proactive measures to enhance in-person voting capabilities. According to him, the board of supervisors expanded voting locations, check-in stations, and voting booths significantly compared to past elections, citing a 40% increase in locations since 2020. These expansions aimed to accommodate the increased demands created by the two-page ballot.

Concluding his letter, La Rue firmly rejected the proposal for a new election plan, asserting, “In light of the county’s extensive preparations for in-person voting on November 5, 2024, our clients do not see the need for an emergency meeting with your clients.”

This statement comes amidst ongoing reports from voters about long lines and extended wait times for early voting. Maricopa County has warned that the counting process for the nearly 2.1 million mail-in ballots requested could take between 10 to 13 days, a timeline shaped by past election patterns where a notable percentage of voters submitted their ballots close to Election Day.