Arizona lawmakers move to increase voting locations after primary election outrage

PHOENIX — After excessive wait times at polling places in Arizona’s largest county led to a federal investigation, caused nationwide outrage and placed an emphasis on fair voting practices, state lawmakers voted on Monday to increase the number of voting locations.

State senators amended House Bill 2017 to require Maricopa County to at least triple the number of polling places present in the March 22 presidential preference elections for upcoming elections.

County Recorder Helen Purcell said they would aim to open 116 locations on May 17, up from the 60 open in the Arizona presidential primary election.

There were 200 locations open in the 2012 primary election, but the county slashed the number due to a lack of funding.

State Sen. Kimberly Yee said she worked with the county recorder and secretary of state to craft the language of the amendment. The underlying bill deals with campaign signs and awaits a formal vote.

“The floor that we’ve established in this bill will solve the issue of long lines and the inability of people to cast their ballots,” Yee said. “This again is going to insure that every voter in Maricopa County will be able to vote in future presidential preference elections.”

Yee said she said spent 5 1/2 hours in line waiting to vote.

“I believe that voting should be easy and accessible, and this is the fix,” she said of the amendment.

The legislation requires a minimum of 200 polling places in 2020. It won’t be needed if other bills making their way through the Legislature pass and are signed by the governor.

The House has passed a bill repealing state funding for the presidential primary, which many believe would force parties in the state to go to a caucus system.

The measure would also reimburse counties for more than $6 million spent to administer the primary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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