Senate President Pushes for Friday Ballot Deadline Amidst Concerns Over Voter Disenfranchisement

In a push for quicker election results, Senate President Warren Petersen has proposed legislation to prevent voters from dropping off early ballots on Election Day at polling places, similar to Florida’s approach.

Petersen plans to introduce this legislation during the upcoming session, asserting it would expedite results. However, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes counters that there are “other systemic problems” contributing to delays in ballot counting, and reducing the time frame for ballot submissions is not the solution.

“I don’t like any solution that limits access,” Fontes stated, emphasizing the importance of allowing voters flexibility in how and when they cast their ballots.

Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares Kelly echoed Fontes’ sentiments, highlighting that the existing early voting window is already constricted, further diminished by postal delays.

Maricopa County’s Recorder Stephen Richer supports an alternative proposal, allowing early ballots to be dropped off at county offices until the Friday before the election. Richer claims this could ensure that 95% of results are available within the first 24 hours post-election, given that early ballots account for 90% of those cast.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the earlier deadline could inconvenience many voters accustomed to dropping off their ballots on Election Day.

As of recent reports, over 2.5 million ballots have already been processed, yet nearly 953,000 remain uncounted, predominantly in Maricopa County, which has about 584,000 ballots outstanding.

The ongoing delays have sparked concerns among voters who are confused by Arizona’s slower tally relative to other states. High-profile races, including the U.S. Senate competition between Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake, remain undecided.

Fontes pointed out that imposing a drop-off deadline could pressure voters to wait until the last minute to cast their ballots, subsequently causing overcrowded polling places and longer lines on Election Day.

In 2022, approximately 290,000 Arizonans chose to return their early ballots on Election Day, a convenience they would lose under Petersen’s proposal. Fontes warned that additional polling places and equipment would be needed to accommodate the expected influx of voters.

Petersen argues that electors in states like Florida adapt to similar restrictions without major dissent. He cites the significant number of ballots returned on Election Day in Maricopa compared to Florida’s Miami-Dade County, which sees a fraction of early ballots submitted on that day.

Fontes dismissed Petersen’s claims of fostering mistrust among voters due to delayed results, urging constituents to refrain from unfounded conspiracy theories regarding the electoral process.

The discussion continues as both sides weigh the trade-offs between ensuring quick election results and maintaining voter access and convenience. Fontes highlighted logistical hurdles, particularly in Maricopa County, which would need additional resources to address processing delays.

Governance of this matter remains uncertain, especially with Governor Katie Hobbs, a previous election officer, firmly opposed to any measures restricting voter accessibility. Her press aide reiterated the governor’s commitment to a secure and fair election process.

Previous attempts to legislate a similar drop-off restriction failed to progress through the legislative process, leaving the future of Petersen’s proposal unclear.