Early voter ballots slow in returning

Election officials say early primary voter ballots are slow to return in the state’s metropolitan areas.

The Maricopa County Recorder says nearly 47 percent of early ballots had been voted and returned by Thursday.

Yavapai County election officials say they have received nearly 46 percent and Pima County has only gotten back 41 percent of early ballots.

Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell says she attributes the somewhat sluggish return of ballots to the negative tone of the current campaign cycle.

Others feel voters are holding on to ballots to see if there are last minute developments in some political races.