Incredible Voter Turnout Delays Decision on National and Local Elections Alike

Maricopa residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of President George Bush (57%) over Senator John Kerry (43%) in the race to determine who will lead the United States as president the next four years. However, as of post time, the final results are not yet in as every vote is counted (and possibly recounted) in Ohio.

Similarly, Maricopa residents will have to wait for final results of at least one local race. The votes have been tallied for those on the Maricopa School Board ballot and Jim Chaston (50%), Margaret Jackson (47%) and Tracy Davis (47%) are likely winners for the three open positions. However, aggressive write-in candidate Michael Muriett hopes to secure the spot once write-in votes are tabulated.

Write-in votes and provisional ballots are being segregated today, but likely will not be counted until Friday or into the weekend according to Gilbert Hoyos, director of the Pinal County Elections Department. The delay is due in large part to the tremendous voter turnout. “The surge has been tremendous,” Hoyos told inmaricopa.com. With a voter turnout of at least 67%, Hoyos, who has been in his position for 22 years, said the voter response “is the greatest I’ve ever seen here.” Twenty-three percent (23%) of registered Pinal County voters cast a ballot in September’s Primary Election.

Unofficial results of local races and propositions include:

MARICOPA USD 20
CHASTON, JAMES 904 (50%)
DAVIS, TRACY J. 857 (47%)
FOREMAN, THELMA 715 (39%)
JACKSON, MARGARET 863 (47%)
LINDGREN, RACHEL 643 (35%)

STANFIELD ESD 24
ANDREW, DARLENE 255 (40%)
CARRANZA, ANGIE 171 (27%)
DURAN, MICHAEL TODD 177 (28%)
PELZER, JO ANN 170 (26%)
RODRIGUEZ, OLIVIA M. 273 (43%)
RODRIGUEZ-SANCHEZ 222 (35%)
WOODARD, CYNTHIA 283 (44%)

MARICOPA FIRE BOARD
ANDERSON, OLIVER 507 (42%)
BAKER-PROBASCO, S. 484 (40%)
CHAPA, THOMAS 286 (24%)
INSKEEP, LONNIE 292 (24%)
NELSON, JASON 361 (30%)
PEARCE, DON 537 (45%)
SALAZAR, J.W. 392 (33%)
SOLIZ, EDDIE 374 (31%)

STANFIELD FIRE CHIEF
GARCIA, FRANK R. 85 (60%)
ZIMMERMAN, TOBY 57 (40%)

PROPOSITION 100 (State Lands)
NO 30248 (56%)
YES 24093 (44%)

PROPOSITION 101 (Initiative and Referendum Expenditures)
NO 24067 (46%)
YES 27816 (54%)

PROPOSITION 102 (State Ownership of Securities)
NO 30130 (58%)
YES 21647 (42%)

PROPOSITION 103 (Justice of the Peace)
NO 25635 (48%)
YES 27631 (52%)

PROPOSITION 104 (Initiative Petitions)
NO 36592 (70%)
YES 15959 (30%)

PROPOSITION 105 (State Board of Education)
NO 22125 (42%)
YES 30033 (58%)

PROPOSITION 200 (Voting and Public Benefits)
NO 23349 (41%)
YES 33853 (59%)

PROPOSITION 300 (Legislator Salaries)
NO 36253 (67%)
YES 17965 (33%)

PROPOSITION 300 (City)
NO 395 (25%)
YES 1176 (75%)

MARICOPA FIRE BOND
AGAINST THE BONDS 251 (19%)
FOR THE BONDS 1095 (81%)