We’re in the final stretch of the 2024 election cycle. In just a matter of days, we should know the outcome of races and issues on the ballot that are important to the lives and livelihoods of Americans and the Grand Canyon state.

The key word is “should”. Unfortunately, as recent history has shown us, receiving results on winners and losers may not happen in a timely fashion in our all-important swing state.

During the last several election cycles, Arizona was in the national spotlight with embarrassing headlines because of election issues.  Citizens have been rightly frustrated over delayed results and day-of voting problems.  However, we don’t have to perpetuate these narratives again come November.  By voting early in-person, people can avoid day-of voting problems and know the final outcomes of races on election night, instead of weeks later.  

If more people understood how votes are counted, they would probably change their voting behavior.  The first batch of results appearing on TV screens at 8 p.m. on Election Day are the ballots that were dropped off, or mailed in, before 7 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.  Then, from 9 p.m. until about midnight, results start coming in from people who voted in person on election day.  If this was how everyone voted, we would likely know the results by midnight despite close races. But close races, and the phenomena known as “late earlies,” have thrown a wrench into the process and are prolonging results.

Arizona has been the epicenter for close races.  In 2022, several races, with millions of votes cast, were decided by just a few hundred votes.  These close races have not only made your vote more important than ever, but they have also created a situation where the winners of races cannot be determined until nearly every single vote is counted, and that takes quite a bit of time.  

Many people don’t realize this, but if you drop off your early ballot on election day, which is also known as a “late early,” it does not get counted for days.  When ballots are dropped off on election day, they must go through the signature verification process. If there are problems with your signature or ballot, then your ballot needs to be “cured.”  The county has five days to cure a ballot, and if the county cannot reach you to cure your ballot within that time frame, then it does not get counted at all.  

It can be frustrating that election officials have not been able to administer elections without this issue, but citizens can take action to avoid voting delays and election result delays.  Vote early in person, Monday through Saturday, until Election Day.  Some vote centers in Maricopa County are even open on Sundays. Early voting locations can be found at www.beballotready.vote.  

Don’t let our elections drag on, and don’t let yourself become disenfranchised because of an issue with a ballot dropped off on Election Day. The future of our state and our nation are dependent on every single vote. The country is watching and waiting for our important swing state to get this right and to provide results in a timely manner.

Warren Petersen is the President of the Arizona State Senate and represents Legislative District 14. You can email him at wpetersen@azleg.gov.