Late ballots turn tide for some Arizona GOP candidates
Nov 28, 2016, 11:34 AM
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — After a history of late ballots typically helping opponents, the tide turned for some Arizona Republican candidates after Election Night.
The Arizona Capitol Times reported that Republican leads expanded in several races after Nov. 8.
Officials have been counting vote-by-mail, or early ballots, which had been turned in at election offices and polls at the last possible moment.
Those ballots generally have worked in favor of the Democrats, who have made offers to deliver ballots to post offices or election headquarters on behalf of voters.
This voting season, judges reinstated a ban on ballot harvesting in Arizona.
Arizona lawmakers reintroduced the bill in January. It was challenged by the Arizona Democratic Party.
Anyone who wasn’t an election official, family member, postal service carrier or specified caregiver was barred from collecting and delivering a voter’s early ballot. Anyone caught would be charged with a felony.
In the Legislative District 28 Senate race, Democratic Rep. Eric Meyer of Paradise Valley saw his election night lead evaporate to Republican Rep. Kate Brophy McGee of Phoenix.
Late ballots added to that margin nearly every day until election officials finished counting Nov. 18. Meyer would lose by 2,312 votes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
