The race to tally votes in the 2024 General Election is underway as Pinal County has begun the process of counting ballots. After polls closed at 7 p.m., election workers began the task of processing the day's votes. Considering the large number of early ballots, Pinal County officials released initial results reflecting the 142,541 early ballots that were received, signature verified, and tabulated before 5 p.m. Tuesday, along with in-person early votes. As stated on the Pinal County website, these figures only represent a portion of the total vote, with more updates expected throughout the night.
Upcoming updates were promised at approximately 8 p.m., representing additional votes on top of the early votes already counted. As the remaining Election Day ballots make their way back to Pinal VOTES from various precincts, a continuous count will carry on through the late hours. The flow of ballots making their way back is a testament to the diligence with which the electoral machinery operates even as the county sleeps.
All early ballots received by mail or deposited in a Dropbox or at a Polling Place on Election Day are undergoing signature verification. Once verified, these are then forwarded to the Elections Department for tabulation. In addition to these, provisional ballots and early ballots with contested signatures also require further checks. "Voters have until Sunday, November 10, to cure signature and conditional provisional ballots," the county officials reminded in their announcement.
While anticipation for the official results builds, it's essential to understand that these numbers are not finalized until the Pinal County Board of Supervisors conducts its canvass, set for Wednesday, November 20.
