General Election Notes
How many ballots are left to be counted?
As of Thursday afternoon, there are an estimated 221,000 early ballots and 83,000 provisional ballots statewide that are yet to be processed and counted. Of these, Maricopa County has about 170,000 uncounted early ballots and 55,000 provisional ballots yet to be verified. Pima County is next, with 17,000 early ballots and nearly 13,000 provisional ballots to be processed. The other 13 counties account for the remainder.
OK, so when will we have final, unofficial vote totals?
State law gives the counties ten calendar days to verify and process the remaining early and provisional ballots. That gives them until the end of Friday, Nov. 12. A state canvass to certify official election results for federal, statewide and legislative races is scheduled for Nov. 29.
What about voters who cast a “conditional provisional” ballot?
These individuals had insufficient identification when they went to vote at a polling place. They have five business days, or until the end of Tuesday, Nov. 9, to return to their county elections office with proper ID (ie. an Arizona driver’s license, etc.).
Recount, anyone?
State law reads as follows:
16-661. Automatic recount; requirements; exemption
A. A recount of the vote is required when the canvass of returns in a primary or general election shows that the margin between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for a particular office, or between the number of votes cast for and against initiated or referred measures or proposals to amend the Constitution of Arizona, is less than or equal to the lesser of the following:
1. One-tenth of one per cent of the number of votes cast for both such candidates or upon such measures or proposals.
2. Two hundred votes in the case of an office to be filled by state electors and for which the total number of votes cast is more than twenty-five thousand.
3. Fifty votes in the case of an office to be filled by state electors and for which the total number of votes cast is twenty-five thousand or less.
4. Two hundred votes in the case of an initiated or referred measure or proposal to amend the constitution.
5. Fifty votes in the case of a member of the legislature.
Examples: In CD-8, a recount would be triggered if the margin between the top two candidates is less than or equal to 200 votes. A margin of less than or equal to 200 votes would also trigger a recount for each statewide proposition. Remember: There is no provision in state law allowing a candidate or ballot-measure committee to demand a recount.
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Matthew Benson
Director of Communications
Arizona Secretary of State’s Office
602-350-2834 – mobile
mbenson@azsos.gov
Twitter: @therealAZsos
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