The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Gila County Elections Director Eric Mariscal and County Recorder Sadie Bingham, seeking to address post-election rumors and correct misinformation after the July 30 primary, have issued a list of allegations that arose in ensuing weeks, along with answers to these. The list is as follows.
Allegation: “The Recorder’s Office and Elections Department stayed open past 7 p.m. to let people vote and change ballots.”
Untrue: the Recorder’s Office was open on Election Day from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. to assist voters and the poll workers. At 7 p.m. the Office closed to the public, but staff were still at work within, processing early ballots that were received and also provisional ballots delivered from polling locations on election day.
Allegation: “All ballots must be counted and tabulated on election day.”
Untrue: Early ballots dropped off on election day and provisional ballots cast on election day must be verified before they can be counted. Mail-in ballots dropped off at the polls are picked up on election night by the Recorder’s Office, who must verify the signatures before sending them back over to the Elections Office for the early boards to process; that is why all ballots are not able to be tabulated on election night. Ballots that are in the curing process also have a timeline.
Allegation: “2700 ballots are still waiting to be counted.”
Untrue: There were approximately 2700 early ballots that were received the Friday before the Election-to-Election Day (mail, drop-box, and polling locations). The Recorder’s Office does not process the early ballots received during that time until after the polls close. This is to make sure someone doesn’t vote twice. The early ballots were transported to the Elections Department on Wednesday. There were approximately 50 provisional ballots that were verified and transported to the Elections Department. All ballots have been tabulated.
Allegation: “The Elections Department is over all City and Town Elections.”
Untrue: Every City and Town has their own filing officer, they use Gila County as their “vendor,” essentially.
Allegation: “Two cameras in the Election room were turned off on Election night.”
Allegation: “Independents couldn’t vote.”
Untrue: Independents can and did vote, as Gila County Recorder Sadie Bingham reaffirmed many times on social media, radio and local newspapers for a full month before the primary election. Independents were able to choose a Republican, Democrat, or non-partisan ballot (AZ. Const. Art. 7 § 10 and ARS 16-544)
Allegation: “The reports are not accurate – they still show unofficial results.”
Untrue: The results are official, as the Gila County Board of Supervisors voted on Aug. 9 during a special meeting where they reviewed the primary and unanimously canvassed the election – as required by state law.
Allegation: “Early ballots do not count, and signatures are not verified.”
Untrue. All early ballots that are verified are counted. All early ballot signatures are verified.
Allegation: “ID isn’t required to vote early.”
Untrue: ID is required if you vote early in person or at a polling place/vote center on Election Day.
Allegation: “There were 1000 ballots missing.”
Question: “Why are we canvassing?”
Answer: Because it is required by Arizona state law.
Allegation: “The Elections department must have a court order to recount the ballots.”
That last one is actually correct.
Specific results of the Gila County primary are posted here: gilacountyaz.gov/government/elections; where you can also read much more about elections – everything from campaign finance and candidate filing information to FAQs about elections, how to sign up to be a poll worker in your town for the November General Election; plus initiatives, referendums and recalls – and voter outreach. Another resource on the county website is gilacountyaz.gov/government/recorder; and for accurate local, statewide and national election information please like and follow facebook.com/gilacountyrecorder.
