Early ballots coming in heavily ahead of election

 

Six days from Election Day, Pinal County is thousands of voters ahead of its 2016 number of early ballots.

The Recorder’s Office is gearing up for a large, possibly boisterous turnout at the polls as well. That led to additional workers and a security plan.

According to Elections Director Michele Forney, the county has already tabulated 46,234 ballots as of this morning and expects another 10,000 today. She was part of a presentation to the Board of Supervisors Wednesday morning.

County Recorder Virginia Ross said early voting has gone smoothly. That has included 34,748 ballots delivered to drop boxes, 17,277 in-person early voting, 2,856 ballots dropped off at a county voter van and 354 military and overseas ballots.

“We have had no violence or issues,” Ross said. “We do have unarmed security guards nearby to monitor.”

The Recorder’s Office issued 180,501 early ballots this year and, so far, has received 105,526 back. By comparison, 97,518 early ballots were cast in 2016. Ross said election workers are emptying ballot drop boxes up to four times a day.

Ross said there has been a 23% increase in the number of registered voters, to 263,199 since 2018.

County tips for those voting at the poll on Tuesday: Bring your own pen and avoid the heaviest times (6 a.m., noon, 7 p.m.)

Polling places have pens, but each pen must be cleaned after use. Voters bringing their own pens, with black or blue ink, will prevent delay.

Polls close at 7 p.m., but anyone still in line will be allowed to vote. The Elections Department will post its first returns, comprising early ballots, by 8 p.m. The counting of all ballots will continue until 2 a.m. Nov. 4. Workers will return to the office later that day to pick up the count again.

Forney said each poll is cleaned and disinfected and has supplies on hand. Many polling places are in churches and schools where facemasks must be worn to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Disposable facemasks will be available.

She said workers are prepared for some voters to be adamant about not wearing a mask. She said no one will be turned away, but after they vote, workers will disinfect behind them.

Each political party is allowed one poll observer per site. They must be credentialed through the Elections Department.

Forney said procedures are in place to prevent voters from voting twice. If a voter drops off a ballot but goes to the poll to vote as well, the system will invalidate one of those ballots.

As always, no electioneering is allowed within a 75-foot area of the entry to a polling location. However, voters are free to wear clothing that expresses their political opinions, Forney said. Individual or groups who want to be vocal about rallying or protesting must stay 75 feet away from the building.

“The 75-foot zone is the only place where we have firm authority to remove people,” Forney said.

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Matt Thomas said uniformed officers will drive by polling stations to make random security checks but will not stay on site, understanding their presence can be intimidating.

“We don’t want to be a factor in whether somebody votes or doesn’t vote,” Thomas said.

Board Vice Chairman Pete Rios concurred, saying a voter who sees armed, uniformed officers at a polling place may think there has been trouble and won’t want to go in.

A PCSO liaison is in contact with local law enforcement to prepare for any contention. Forney said one school being used a polling place requested the county hire private security. The county agreed, but the security employees cannot be armed or inside the building.

“People are free to be in the parking lot and they are free to yell at you and they’re free to shout and be encouraging and say, ‘Yay, you’re voting,’ or whatever they want to do,” Forney said. “We’re not going to stop that unless it crosses the line.”

Thomas said PCSO has plans in place for personnel to respond to problems, civil unrest or “groups getting violent with each other.”