Arizona Secretary of State does not expect final results on election night

PHOENIX – Arizona’s top elections official does not expect final results to be released on election night.

“As much as we all want to see the winner on Election Night in those close races, that’s just not going to happen,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said during a press conference Wednesday.

Hobbs cited a historic voter turnout and the usual post-election process as factors in how long the count will take.

She added her office is focused on being accurate and reassures voters the tabulation will be secure but said that patience will be required.

“None of this should be viewed as any indication that anything is awry or delayed results,” Hobbs said. “This is all part of the process.”

This comes as her office reversed course and appealed a recent court order extending Arizona’s voter registration deadline. Hobbs cited administrative burdens on county election officials as the reason for her appeal. 

An appeals court ruled Tuesday that the voter registration extension must be shorted from Oct. 23 to Thursday.

Early ballots start being counted 14 days before election day and will be part of the first preliminary results reported at around 8 p.m. Nov.3. Votes casted at polling locations will be reported as counties report them to the state.

Hobbs warned counties will prioritize processing and tabulation over reporting the results, especially in counties with smaller election departments.

The Secretary of State’s office has until Dec.3, exactly one month from Election Day, to finalize election results for the state.