Early ballots are being returned in Pima County at a fast clip that’s surprising election officials ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
County officials have mailed a record 505,903 early ballots since Oct. 7. By Saturday, Oct. 17, 191,755 ballots — nearly 38% — had been received by the elections department. Election officials have also received 4,751 votes cast at six early voting sites.
“I’ve never seen early ballot numbers like this,†said F. Ann Rodriguez, who’s served as Pima County recorder for 28 years. “The one that is a surprise to us, really the biggest one, is our walk-in early voting sites. Our first day we had lines, that’s never happened before.â€
She called for patience as the time between when a ballot is received and it being scanned into the tracking system is taking a little longer than usual.
The elections department is now running two shifts every day, including weekends, to get the ballots processed, starting at 6:30 a.m. and with a second shift at 1 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
"In most states, once they finish their sentence and they're out, and they're finished with probation and parole, they can vote. And they shou…
“I talked to Maricopa County, they’re having the same issue, they’re going to be putting two shifts on. But we’re far out enough away from the election that we’ll have time to catch up on this,†Rodriguez said.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the elections department will begin counting votes, a process that will be live-streamed 24/7 at .
Rodriguez encouraged voters who’ve received an early ballot to turn it in.
“If you decide that you don’t want to vote that early ballot that you received, and you want to go to your polling location, you become part of the problem,†Rodriguez said. “You have to stand in line, fill out a bunch of paperwork, because the poll worker says that you got an early ballot, (and) I don’t know if it’s been turned over yet.â€
Those provisional ballots, Rodriguez said, are then counted following Election Day and after all early ballots dropped off at that location have been dealt with.
For voters taking a trip to early voting sites, the department has plans to open election sites the Saturday before Election Day, Oct. 31. Community members can catch any updates on the Pima County recorder’s .
Rodriguez said voters should call the elections department at (520) 724-4350 for any ballot problems they face.
Photos: 2020 Primary Election in Pima and Maricopa counties
Primary Election in Pima County
An elections worker looks over a few of the early primary ballots at one of the scanning stations during counting at the Pima County Elections Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A pair of elections workers look over an early primary ballot as part of the counting process at the Pima County Elections Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Elections workers feed primary ballots in to scanners at the Pima County Elections Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker waits inside the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Brad Nelson, left, Pima County elections director, helps Lisa Matthews, Pima County election marshal, put up a “Welcome Voters†sign after it was blown down outside of the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
After voting, a voter walks back to their car at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voter walks by a polling sign outside the Armory Park Center located at 220 S 5th Avenue during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Voters enter the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Estates Multi-Purpose Hall located at 5900 W Western Way Circle, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Gilbert Silva walks through the parking lot of the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road to cast his vote during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker (right) takes a completed ballot from a voter at the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
After placing their vote, a voter starts to place their "I Voted" sticker on their shirt as they leave the Pima County voting site at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker wearing a face shield, mask and gloves walks outside to check if anyone needs assistance at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voters arrives at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz to drop off their voting ballot on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voter leaves the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz on August 4, 2020. Photo by Rebecca Sasnett / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Primary Election in Maricopa County
A portrait of Ashlee King after she voted, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado polling place, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Anita Cota-Soto washes her hands before voting, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe. Cota-Soto is a Town of Guadalupe councilmember running for re-election.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voting marshal Gerry Lamanski checks his watch before announcing the polls are open, August 4, 2020, at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
People vote on Election Day at Nueva Vida Church in Scottsdale on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic candidates for the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
A voter wearing a face covering exits a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates, as a polling station workers opens the door for voters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)