Arizona election results official after state certification completed

PHOENIX – The results of the Nov. 3 election in Arizona are now official.

The state’s 11 electoral votes are heading to President-elect Joe Biden, who defeated President Donald Trump to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Arizona since 1996.

Today, we signed the canvass for the 2020 election in Arizona. I’m grateful to the voters, the county election offices, the county recorders’ offices, & the poll workers across the state for their dedication to the success of our election system. @SecretaryHobbs @GeneralBrnovich pic.twitter.com/vdjhuQosZd

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) November 30, 2020

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, the state’s top election officer, on Monday certified the final count for federal, statewide and legislative offices and ballot measures.

Gov. Doug Ducey, Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinel sign the state canvass documents during a mundane 17-minute event.

In-person attendance was limited because of coronavirus protocols, but the canvass was livestreamed on the secretary of state’s Facebook page.

Arizona Election Services Director Bo Dul applied the official seals after the documents were signed.

Democrat Hobbs and Republican Ducey both spoke about the security and efficiency of the election, which saw more than 3.42 million ballots cast in the midst of a pandemic.

“Every Arizona voter has my thanks and should know they can stand proud that this election was conducted with transparency, accuracy and fairness in accordance with Arizona’s laws and elections procedures despite numerous unfounded claims to the contrary,” Hobbs said.

Under state law, Monday was the deadline to certify the election results. A week earlier, Mohave County became the last of Arizona’s 15 counties to certify its results.

“As I’ve said before, we do elections well here in Arizona,” Ducey said. “The system is strong, and that’s why I bragged on it so much.”

Until last week, Ducey, who campaigned for Trump, resisted acknowledging Biden’s victory in Arizona.

Ducey drew criticism for waiting so long and failing to denounce baseless conspiracy theories about voter fraud and election rigging.

Hobbs became the target of threats and protests outside her home from people refusing to accept the legitimacy of the results.

Eleven Democratic electors will meet Dec. 14 to formally cast Arizona’s electoral votes for Biden.

Biden will be inaugurated Jan. 20 after winning 306 electoral votes. Trump, who garnered 232 electoral votes, still hasn’t made a concession, even though Biden’s victory has been repeatedly reinforced in the face of multiple lawsuits and recounts in certain states.

Monday’s Arizona canvass came after several legal challenges to the state’s results were dismissed. A case filed last week by Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward remained active at the time of the certification.

The state certification cleared the way for Democrat Mark Kelly to be sworn into the U.S. Senate. He defeated Republican incumbent Martha McSally in a special election and will serve out the remainder late Sen. John McCain’s final term, which runs through 2022.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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