Republicans in Arizona are criticizing Maricopa County’s preparation for Election Day, citing long wait times and delays in ballot counting as major issues. The county has warned that tallying all votes could take up to 13 days, leaving some races undecided well after Election Day.
GOP representatives Harmeet Dhillon and Abe Hamadeh sent a letter to the county’s election officials expressing concern. They pointed out that the two-page ballot format could extend the time each voter spends at the booth. According to them, the county’s estimate of 12 minutes per voter is not realistic, given the complexity of the ballot.
The Republicans also cited past problems with voting equipment, such as printer malfunctions in previous elections. They claimed these issues have not been resolved and could result in more delays. The letter further criticized the removal of a polling station near Paradise Valley Community College, which historically has a high voter turnout.
The GOP leaders suggested several solutions, including adding more voting machines and setting up extra secrecy booths. They called for an emergency meeting with county officials to discuss these options and ensure a smoother Election Day experience.
Maricopa County officials have stated that poll workers are being trained to manage any technical difficulties that may occur. However, Republicans remain unconvinced, emphasizing that further action is needed to prevent voter frustration and delays.
Kari Lake, running for Senate in Arizona, criticized the county’s plan, questioning why a law allowing self-tabulation of ballots isn’t being implemented. She argued that faster ballot processing is necessary for fair and efficient elections in Arizona, a critical swing state.