Election 101: From Counting Ballots to Calling Races

Understanding election night procedures is incredibly important when tracking races and results. We understand this may feel complicated, so here is a quick guide:

Types of Early Ballots

Arizona offers multiple ways to vote early:

Mail-in early ballots: Voters request these ballots by mail. They must be received by the county election office by 7pm on election day to be counted.

In-person early ballots: These can be cast at early voting centers up to 27 days before election day. To find your nearest in-person early voting location, click here.

Drop-off early ballots: Voters can also return their mail-in ballots to secure drop boxes located at early voting centers and other designated sites. If you have yet to send in your mail-in ballot, make sure to drop it off instead of putting it in the mail to ensure it is collected in time to be counted. Find a drop-off location here!

How Ballots are Counted

Ballots are counted in several stages:

Early Ballots: Each mail-in or drop-off ballot goes through a signature verification process. Once verified, ballots are separated from the envelopes and counted, keeping voter information confidential.

Election Day Ballots: These are counted after polls close and added to already existing early ballot totals.

Provisional Ballots: If there’s a question about a voter’s eligibility, they complete a provisional ballot. These ballots are individually reviewed and only counted if eligibility is confirmed.

You can track your ballot through the Secretary of State’s office! Click here to check on your ballot.

Why are some results called early?

Media outlets often call elections when trends in the counted ballots make it highly unlikely for the trailing candidate to win. This isn’t an official result, but rather a statistical assessment based on counted votes and expected remaining ballots.

Why it can be right: Early calling can help convey expected outcomes, especially in cases where remaining ballots are from areas that consistently lean towards one candidate or party.

Why it can be wrong: Unexpected surges in late-counted ballots, especially from mail-ins or provisional ballots, can shift outcomes, especially in close races.

How Recounts Work in Arizona

Arizona has strict recount procedures:

Automatic Recounts: A recount is triggered only if the margin between candidates is 0.5% or less.

Requested Recounts: Arizona doesn’t allow candidates or voters to request recounts outside of the automatic margin. Candidates can, however, legally challenge results if there is evidence of ballot integrity issues.

Current Early Voter Turnout in Arizona

Arizona has just under 4.4 million registered voters across the state. This is broken into almost 1.3 million Democrats, roughly 1.5 million Republicans, and roughly 1.5 million designated as “other” (third party, independent, party undeclared).

For the 2024 election cycle, Arizona saw over 3.4 million mail-in ballots requested. To date, over 1.8 million of these ballots have been returned. This is roughly a 42% voter turnout a week prior to the election. Broken down by party, 34% of Democratic ballots, 41% of Republican ballots, and 25% of “other” ballots have been returned.

Currently, Democrats have a slightly higher turnout than Republicans at 49% and 48% respectively. The “other” category has a 35% turnout rate.

For comparison, for the 2020 Presidential election, Arizona had just shy of 4.3 million registered voters with an 80% voter turnout rate. With higher voter turnouts around Presidential elections and record numbers of ballots already returned, Arizona is on track to match or even beat previous voter turnout.

Certification Process

Results are certified a few weeks post-Election Day, once all ballots, including provisional and early votes, are counted. If a recount is needed, it is completed before certification.

ArMPAC released a general election guide, showcasing our endorsed candidates. This guide highlights bipartisan candidates from across the state. ArMA’s advocacy team will be watching the election diligently and will keep you up to date on all the action.

If you have not yet done so, remember to vote by either dropping off your ballot, early voting in-person, or voting in-person day of.

Your voice and your vote matter!