With less than two weeks left before Election Day, the Pima County Elections Department has started counting, and early returns show that more than two times as many Democrats have turned in their ballots compared to Republicans.
The Pima County Recorder’s Office said that, as of Wednesday afternoon, more than 190,000 ballots have been signature-checked and turned over the elections department. The turnover ballots included 103,000 ballots from Democrats and nearly 48,000 from Republicans, with the rest being from voters registered with another party or without one.
Votes can be counted starting two weeks before Election Day, per ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ law, although results won’t be released until the polls close on Nov. 3. Democrats make up roughly 40% of the county’s 630,000 , compared to about 29% of Republicans. Experts expect there to be on Election Day.
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For those who have voted but are still getting campaign calls, there is good news. Both the Pima County Democratic and Republican parties receive early ballot return lists and are in the process of removing those who have turned in their ballots from campaign call lists.
Ever wonder why Americans vote on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November? Like many traditions, the practice goes back a long time and hasn't changed in modern times. What do you think? Should we hold Election Day on another day or should we keep it on Tuesdays?
McSally leaves no doubt with SCOTUS endorsement
No major surprises are expected with the upcoming Senate confirmation vote for President Trump’s latest Supreme Court nominee, and Sen. Martha McSally has left no doubt about what she intends to do.
“I look forward to voting in favor of her historic confirmation,†McSally said in a written statement Wednesday, after a one-on-one meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
McSally called Barrett an experienced and principled jurist and “an inspiration to young women and girls across the country.â€
“Her life is a testament to the fact that motherhood, devotion to faith, and a demanding career can, in fact, coexist,†McSally said of Trump’s pick to replace pioneering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-0 Thursday to advance Barrett’s nomination, as the committee’s Democrats boycotted the hearing in protest.
A full vote of the Senate is expected Monday.
McSally also penned an detailing her support for the nominee. During their meeting Wednesday, the two women posed together for pictures — some with masks on and some without.
McSally’s opponent, Mark Kelly, and other Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to rush Barrett’s confirmation to cement the high court’s conservative majority ahead of an upcoming case that could strike down the Affordable Care Act.
County building names to honor LaWall, ElÃas
The Pima County Board of Supervisors honored outgoing Pima County attorney Barbara LaWall this week by renaming the county-owned building that houses the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ as the “Barbara LaWall Children’s Advocacy Center.â€
The supervisors unanimously approved a motion in honor for LaWall, who is retiring, saying she has been a “visionary in dramatically improving the criminal justice system’s response to vulnerable child victims of crime, including those who have suffered physical and sexual abuse.â€
LaWall said during the Tuesday meeting that she was “deeply touched†by the honor, saying that she’s been humbled by the work she’s been able to do standing up for those child victims.
“I’ve been a public prosecutor now for 44 years. It doesn’t seem possible that that much time has passed,†LaWall said. “But I know that, during that time, that I’ve had the best possible job in the whole world because every day the work I get to do is very meaningful and very, very special.â€
During the meeting, the supervisors also formally approved a resolution to rename the Mission Library in honor of late Supervisor Richard ElÃas, who died suddenly earlier this year.
The city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ transferred ownership of the library, located on the corner of West Ajo Way and South Mission Road, to the county earlier this month.
Supervisors also voted to approve $6 million to invest in renovating and expanding the library with the money coming from a future budget.
ElÃas’ family, along with several elected officials, including ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mayor Regina Romero and state Rep. Andres Cano, spoke in memory of ElÃas during the meeting.
Photos: Richard ElÃas, Pima County Supervisor, dies at age 61
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Supervisor Richard EiÃas speaks during a press conference regarding the COVID-19 virus on March 9, 2020.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias, Board of Supervisor, at the podium, calls for a moment of silence as U.S. Representative Ron Barber and other elected officials and January 8th survivors and others gathered at the Old Pima County Courthouse on January 6, 2013 to remember the January 8th 2011 shooting tragedy.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias showing support for Rosa Robles in 2015.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias, candidate for Pima County Board of Supervisors, is congratulated by Linda Leatherman and Supervisor Dan Eckstrom in 2002.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Pima County Supervisor Richard ElÃŒas, Cam Juarez and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Pima County Supervisor Richard ElÃŒas along with Andrés Cano and Adam Regan at an FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ soccer match in 2013.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Pima County Supervisor Richard ElÃŒas speaking at MLK Day in 2015.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Raul Grijalva, former Pima County Supervisor running for Congress, is congratulated by Richard Elias. The two won their primary elections in 2002.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Supervisor Richard Elias talks about the civil rights movement for a painting dedication done by artist Andrew Polk commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King that is being displayed on the third floor of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias, newly appointed Pima County supervisor, takes the oath of office in 2002. Daughter Luz enjoys the proceedings. He was appointed to replace Raul Grijalva, who ran for U.S. Congress.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard ElÃas, left, supervisor chair for Pima County, laughs with Ramón Valadez, Pima County supervisor, during Kino South Complex Ribbon Cutting and VIP opening house at Kino Sports Park's South Complex, 2343 E. Tournament Way, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on January 15, 2020.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Supervisors Ramon Valadez, left, Richard Elias and Ray Carroll chat before the start of the Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting in the county's administration building, 130 West Congress. The photo was taken on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Supervisor Richard EiÃas, left, stands next to Mayor Regina Romero while Romero speaks during a press conference regarding the COVID-19.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Tohono O'odham vice-chair Verlon Jose, left, council member Billman Lopez and chair Edward Manuel talk with Pima County supervisor Richard Elias before the start of a press conference about a joint resolution from the city of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Pima County opposing the proposed border wall, Tuesday, June 6, 2017, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Hundreds gather in an open lot on North Fourth Avenue including Richard Elias, middle, from the Pima County Board of Supervisors during a vigil in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on Sunday, June 12, 2016 to mark the Florida nightclub shooting where a gunman killed 50 people and wounded 53 more.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Chairman Richard Elias, center, and others, listen to Ally Miller address the Pima County Board of Supervisors on July 2, 2019 in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias in 2014.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias, the District 5 Supervisor, spoke to an audience of Ann Day's family and friends on September 24, 2016 in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for the dedication ceremony of her memorial park. Day represented District 1 for three terms between 2001 and 2012.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias listens during a speech by Lorraine Lee, vice president of Chicanos Por La Causa ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, during a 2000 meeting about a state holiday to honor Cesar Chavez, the famous Latino American civil rights activist.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Pima County Board of Supervisor Richard Elias, for District 5, gestures toward fellow members of the board during a meeing in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on Sept. 5, 2017.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias in 2004.
Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor

Richard Elias, candidate for Pima County Board of Supervisors, in 2002.
Richard Elias

Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Elias at the Kino Sports Complex South grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Justin Sayers
Henry Brean
Justin Sayers