Arizona Experiments to Speed up Election Results
By Justin Riemer, President, USGI, and Marshal Trigg, Junior Counsel, USGI
The 2020 presidential race took four days to call. It took a week to determine which party controlled the House in 2022. This phenomenon erodes voter confidence without any benefit that couldn’t be achieved by counting votes more quickly. Heavy vote-by-mail states may tend to report results more slowly, but the pace is largely the product of policy choices that some states make and others have not.
The menu of reforms has been well understood and “pre-processing” ballots is perhaps the most cited. Pre-processing is a broad term encompassing the various steps election officials may take before Election Day to prepare mail ballots for final tabulation: removal of ballots from outer and inner envelopes, duplication of ballots that are not machine readable, ballot scanning, and identity verification. Although some experts suggest its impact may be overstated, it demonstrably speeds up getting totals, especially in the crucial window immediately after polls close.
Identity verification is a core component in the process. In-person voting confirms identity up front and most of those votes are recorded immediately. In contrast, mail ballots defer verification until after submission, through signature matching, review of ballot envelope affidavits, etc. Although aided by technology such as the Agilis machine in Clark County, Nevada, signature verification requires significant human judgment and takes time to do properly. Of course, this along with the rest of pre-processing must be complete before officials can tabulate and report results.
Arizona verifies identity through signature matching. It’s also a laggard in reporting election results, which is problematic given the extremely tight 2020 presidential race there and subsequent close races in the national spotlight. Although Arizona pre-processes, its effectiveness is muted by an increasing trend of voters there returning ballots in-person near or on Election Day (so-called “late earlies”). Maricopa officials stated that nearly a fifth (290,735) of all votes cast there in the 2022 General Election were early ballots dropped off on Election Day. Officials then need to transport those ballots to a central location for processing (including signature verification), which results in Arizona processing fewer ballots before Election Day than in other states. A five-business-day ballot cure period for signature verification mismatches stretches the process further.
In the upcoming election, Arizona will implement an innovative approach that may help. Legislation enacted in 2024 lets mail voters bypass signature matching by returning their ballot in person and presenting acceptable identification at a voting location. This could, in theory, speed up the process for counting Arizona’s mail ballots used by roughly 75% of the state’s voters.
A recent Votebeat article raises several caveats that may inhibit widespread adoption, including longer lines for voters who opt to show ID versus no lines for those who just drop them off. Nonetheless, this is an intriguing reform, and one adopted with broad bipartisan support, especially notable in a state beset by a rancorous partisan debate over elections policy.
Although signature verification is better than no verification, it is not ideal. It simultaneously leads to the rejection of valid ballots and the acceptance of fraudulent ones. It also leads to more curing, which—again—further delays results and risks rejecting more ballots. Verifying mail voters’ identities through an objective identification standard is good for both access and integrity.
If a voter goes to such trouble, why not just vote in-person? Most Arizonans are on a permanent absentee voting list and automatically receive a ballot, something unlikely to change anytime soon. The state is also known for lengthy ballots. Some voters may wish to complete their ballot at home at their own pace and then return it in person and avoid the risks of postal delivery delays and signature matching by using the ID verification option.
Arizona is unlikely to be “Florida fast” in results reporting anytime soon but it’s at least proactively working on solutions. This is a good lesson in policymaking. Although implementing certain national best practices can produce quicker election results, solutions need to be tailored to each state’s idiosyncrasies and voting cultures. This legislation was. Here’s hoping officials implement it smoothly and that voters take advantage of it.
Alabama
Governor Ivey signed a new law requiring the Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide clear information to individuals with felony convictions on how to restore their voting rights.
California
A woman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in the animal’s name in multiple elections. Prosecutors dropped several felony charges as part of a plea agreement.
A ballot measure to amend the state constitution to require voter ID for in-person voting and identification information for mail ballots qualified for the November 2026 ballot after supporters submitted enough signatures.
California’s slow vote count is fueling distrust and conspiracy theories, but election officials and experts disagree on whether and how it can be done more quickly.
Delaware
Governor Meyer signed an executive order creating a statewide election security task force charged with reviewing vulnerabilities, coordinating across agencies, and recommending safeguards to address threats such as cybersecurity risks and disinformation.
Florida
On April 29, the Florida legislature passed a newly drawn congressional map Governor DeSantis unveiled that will likely give Republicans an extra four seats. DeSantis stated the map will bring a balance to the partisan lean of the state which has 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats.
Georgia
Secretary of State Raffensperger called for Macon County Elections Supervisor Tarshea Fudge-Riley to step aside after she was indicted on federal health care fraud charges, though she has remained in her position following her initial court appearance.
Georgia reported record-breaking turnout on the first day of early voting in its 2026 primary election, with more than 35,000 voters casting ballots in person—a 29% increase over 2022—alongside thousands of absentee ballots already received.
Maryland
Governor Moore signed a package of laws including a new state Voting Rights Act allowing voters and the attorney general to challenge local election practices.
Michigan
The Department of Justice sent a letter to Wayne County requesting extensive election records from the 2024 election, including ballots and related materials, citing its authority to investigate potential violations of federal election law and assess election integrity.
Mississippi
Ballotpedia published a post-session roundup of Mississippi’s 2026 legislative activity, highlighting enactment of a law requiring annual citizenship checks of voter rolls using the federal SAVE database, along with seven additional election bills addressing absentee ballot deadlines, voting equipment restrictions, cybersecurity standards, and election administration.
Governor Reeves has announced a special session to consider drawing new voting maps in anticipation of the Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court ruling.
Missouri
A poll of Missouri voters found broad support for key election policies, including photo ID requirements and expanded in-person absentee voting, alongside high confidence that the state’s elections will be administered fairly.
New Jersey
Newark’s pilot allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in a municipal election drew just 45 participants—under 4% of eligible minors—despite requiring more than $1 million in system updates to enable under-18 registration.
North Carolina
Following a data comparison using the SAVE database, the State Board of Elections identified nearly 34,000 deceased individuals on the voter rolls. The State Board will now work with the relevant county officials to properly remove the deceased individuals in accordance with federal and state law.
The State Board of Elections approved new rules expanding the process for challenging suspected noncitizen voters and implementing matching through the federal government’s SAVE database.
The State Board of Elections dismissed a complaint against Cumberland County Elections Chair Linda Devore, finding insufficient evidence of election law violations and noting many allegations involved conduct outside her tenure or beyond the scope of election law.
Pennsylvania
Auditor General DeFoor released a performance audit finding the state’s Motor Voter system generally functions as intended, but suffers from weaknesses in internal controls and data accuracy, prompting recommendations to strengthen security and oversight. One such example included a noncitizen who was permitted to apply to register due to human error.
A state House Committee has advanced legislation that would permit mail ballot pre-processing. Similar past legislation has failed.
Attorney General Sunday announced that Guillermo Sainz, who organized voter registration efforts for an Arizona based voter registration company, will serve a 30 day prison term and nearly a year of probation for offering financial incentives to canvassers during a voter registration drive. Sainz was charged last year with three counts of solicitation of registration
South Carolina
The State Election Commission voted to enter a memorandum of understanding with the DOJ to share the state’s voter registration list, allowing federal officials to review the data for potential noncitizen or ineligible registrations while requiring encryption and state verification before any action is taken.
South Dakota
State and local election officials clashed over how to handle a delay in early and absentee voting for the June 2 primary, with county auditors rejecting state guidance to use sample ballots and warning that conflicting legal interpretations created “chaos” over how to proceed.
Tennessee
Tennessee voters will see new language on primary ballot applications requiring them to affirm they are “bona fide” members of, or declare allegiance to, the party whose ballot they select.
Texas
Lubbock County implemented emergency ballot procedures after widespread voting machine failures disrupted the first day of early voting, with officials unable to identify the cause at the time and working with vendors to restore functionality.
Virginia
State and federal lawsuits over Virginia Beach’s voting system were dismissed as moot after the legislature codified the city’s 10-district system in its charter, resolving disputes over its prior use and challenges to alternative election structures.
Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting following months of litigation and political disputes, though the measure’s implementation remains subject to ongoing legal challenges.
Washington
King County launched an investigation after roughly 500 unvoted ballots from prior election cycles were found near a Renton dumpster, with officials stating the ballots were undelivered mail that had not been received by voters.
Ballotpedia published a post-session roundup of Washington’s 2026 legislative activity, highlighting lawmakers’ updates to the state voting rights act and passage of eight additional election-related bills addressing election administration, voter access, and procedural reforms.
West Virginia
Ballotpedia published a post-session roundup of West Virginia’s 2026 legislative activity, highlighting lawmakers’ decision to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot requiring U.S. citizenship for voting, along with enactment of multiple additional election bills addressing voter ID, administration, and election procedures.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin prosecutors charged a Rothschild man with felony election fraud for allegedly voting in the April 2025 election while on felony supervision and falsely certifying his eligibility during same-day registration.
Green Bay asked the Wisconsin Elections Commission to dismiss a complaint alleging duplicate absentee ballots, stating that, while about 152 voters were mistakenly sent multiple ballots due to a printing error, the city’s efforts ensured that no duplicate votes were counted.
Wyoming
A state court dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock after she resigned following felony charges alleging she mishandled election records, rendering the action moot.
Alaska
League of Women Voters of Alaska v. Dahlstrom, No. 3-AN-26-____CI (Alaska Super. Ct.)
On April 22, advocacy groups sued state election officials, alleging that the state’s sharing of sensitive voter registration data with the Department of Justice violates constitutional privacy and due process protections.
Arizona
Public Interest Legal Foundation v. Fontes, No. 2:25-cv-02772 (D. Ariz.)
On April 20, the Public Interest Legal Foundation announced that it settled a federal lawsuit over access to voter roll maintenance records, with the state agreeing to produce data identifying voters mistakenly removed as deceased and to maintain those records for up to two years.
United States v. Fontes, No. CV-26-00066 (D. Ariz.)
On April 28, a federal court ruled that the DOJ cannot compel the state to turn over its full voter file.
Heap v. Galvin, No. CV 2025-020621 (Ariz. Super. Ct., Maricopa Cnty.)
On April 17, a state court ruled that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unlawfully stripped authority over key election functions from the recorder’s office.
Strong Cmtys. Found. of Ariz., Inc. v. Yavapai Cnty., No. S1300CV202400175 (Ariz. Super. Ct., Yavapai Cnty.)
On April 23, the Arizona Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s use of ballot drop boxes and certain signature verification procedures, holding the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the claims.
Colorado
Colo. Republican Party v. Griswold, No. 23-cv-01948-PAB (D. Colo.)
On April 20, the Colorado Republican Party asked a federal court to block unaffiliated voters from participating in its 2026 primary, arguing that the state’s semi-open primary system violates the party’s associational rights. The court denied the request on April 28.
District of Columbia
Common Cause v. United States, No. 1:26-cv-01352 (D.D.C.)
On April 21, advocacy groups sued in federal court to block the DOJ from obtaining and using state voter-registration data as part of its systemic list maintenance efforts.
Georgia
DeKalb Cnty. Bd. of Registrations and Elections v. State Election Bd., No. 24CV9085-10 (Ga. Super. Ct., Dekalb Cnty.)
On April 23, a state court invalidated two State Election Board rules governing daily vote reporting and poll watcher access as exceeding statutory authority, while dismissing challenges to a separate hand-counting rule as moot.
Hawaii
Public Interest Legal Found., Inc. v. Nago, No. 1:23-cv-00389 (D. Haw.)
On April 28, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that Hawaii is not required under the National Voter Registration Act to disclose its statewide voter registration list to the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), concluding that the statute’s public disclosure provision does not apply to voter rolls. The court did find that PILF had standing and that the case was ripe.
Indiana
Count Us In v. Morales, No. 1:25-cv-00864 (S.D. Ind.)
On April 20, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit stayed a district court injunction blocking the state ban on the use of student IDs for voting, allowing the law to take effect while early voting in the May 5 primary election continues.
Louisiana
Louisiana v. Callais, No. 3:24-cv-00122 (W.D. La.)
On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional district map that would add a second majority-black district. The Court ruled that creating these districts violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Massachusetts
California v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-11581 (D. Mass.)
On April 24, a coalition of 24 states moved for summary judgment in federal court seeking to permanently block President Trump’s executive order regulating mail voting. The court directed the Trump administration to respond by May 7 and set a hearing for June 2. A separate coalition of 12 states, led by Missouri and Alabama, have moved to intervene to defend the order.
Michigan
Republican Nat’l Comm. v. Benson, 25-000181-MZ (Mich. Ct. Cl.)
On April 22, the Michigan Court of Claims dismissed an attempt to challenge the voter eligibility of spouses and dependents who live overseas and have never resided in Michigan. The RNC claimed that the instructions in the Election Manual regarding the eligibility of these individuals were in conflict with the Michigan Constitution.
New Hampshire
United States v. Caldwell, No. 3:26-cv-2025 (D.N.H.)
On April 16, the state moved to dismiss the DOJ’s lawsuit seeking access to the state’s full voter file.
Oregon
Judicial Watch v. Read, No. 6:24-cv-1783 (D. Ore.)
On April 27, state officials agreed to settle a federal lawsuit brought by Judicial Watch over voter roll maintenance, committing to provide requested records, and take steps to address alleged deficiencies in removing ineligible registrations under the NVRA.
Pennsylvania
Rossman v. Schmidt, No. 516 MD 2024 (Pa. Comm. Ct.)
The state Supreme Court is reviewing a county commissioner’s challenge to a state directive requiring counties to accept voter registration applications despite lacking identifying information required by law. This case is sponsored by Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE).
Voter Reference Foundation v. Schmidt, No. 1:24-cv-294 (M.D. Pa.)
On April 23, a federal court upheld the state’s prohibition on publishing voter file data online, rejecting claims that the restriction violates the NVRA or the First Amendment.
Honey v. Lycoming Cnty. Offs. Of Voter Serv., No. CV-22-00115-OR (Lycoming Cnty. Ct. Com. Pl.)
On April 28, the state Supreme Court held that cast vote records are public records subject to disclosure under the Election Code, concluding that release of anonymized vote data does not compromise ballot secrecy.
Rhode Island
United States v. Amore, No. 25-cv-00639 (D.R.I.)
On April 17, a federal court dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit seeking the state’s unredacted voter file.
Texas
In re Wernick, No. 05-26-00550-CV (Tex. App.)
On April 20, Dallas County Republicans filed suit in state court seeking to require precinct-based voting for the May 26 primary runoff, challenging the party chair’s prior agreement to use countywide vote centers as unauthorized and asking the court to compel a return to assigned polling locations.
Abbott v. LULAC, No. 3:21-cv-00259 (W.D. Tex.)
On April 27, the U.S. Supreme Court summarily reversed a lower court decision blocking Texas’s congressional map, allowing the redistricting plan to remain in effect for the 2026 elections.
Virginia
Scott v. McDougle, No. CL25-1582-00 (Va Cir. Ct., Tazewell Cnty.)
On April 27, the state Supreme Court heard arguments in a challenge to the legality of the legislature’s redistricting amendment process.
Republican Nat’l Comm. v. Va. State Bd. of Elections, No. CL26-1208 (Va. Cir. Ct., City of Richmond)
On April 26, a state court declined to block implementation of the redistricting referendum and new congressional maps, while acknowledging the 2026 maps “are undoubtedly less compact than the ones they replace” and “certainly partisan gerrymanders.”
Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights v. Beals, No. 1:24-cv-01778 (E.D. Va.)
On April 17, state election officials agreed to settle a lawsuit challenging the state’s noncitizen voter removal program.
Republican Nat’l Comm. v. Koski, No. CL26-266 (Va. Cir. Ct., Tazewell Cnty.)
On April 22, a state court ruled that the redistricting referendum violated several provisions of the state constitution and that the question was “flagrantly misleading” to voters. The order ruled that all votes cast in the referendum are “ineffective” and enjoined state officials from certifying the results or implementing the legislatively approved maps. On April 27, the state Supreme Court denied an emergency motion to stay the lower court injunction.
Republican Nat’l Comm. v. Fairfax Cnty. Electoral Bd., No. _ (Va. Cir. Ct., Fairfax Cnty.)
The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced two parallel actions in Virginia ahead of the redistricting referendum. Both targeted county procedures that allowed voters presenting a Driver Privilege Card, an ID issued only to non-citizens, to cast a ballot if they produced a secondary form of ID. Prince William County voluntarily revised its poll-worker guidance under threat of an RNC lawsuit, and the RNC filed suit against Fairfax County seeking the same change.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Voter Alliance v. Secord, No. 2023AP36 (Wis.)
On April 21, the state Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case brought by the Wisconsin Voter Alliance seeking access to records identifying individuals adjudicated incompetent to vote, after conflicting appellate rulings split on whether such sensitive voter data is publicly accessible.
Wis. Bus. Leaders for Democracy v. Wis. Elections Cmm’n, No. 2025CV002252 (Wis. Cir. Ct., Dane Cnty.)
On April 28, a three-judge panel dismissed a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s congressional map as an “anti-competitive gerrymander,” holding that it lacked authority to overturn the map following a 2022 state Supreme Court ruling barring similar challenges in state courts.
On April 29, 2026, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announced Commissioner Don Palmer would be departing the agency, capping a seven-year tenure at the EAC.
On April 21, Senate Democrats urged the U.S. Postal Service not to comply with President Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting, arguing it unlawfully expands USPS authority into election administration.
Nicholas Stephanopoulos analyzes how the Court’s decision in Callais marks a significant shift in Voting Rights Act doctrine.
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board (paywalled) weighed in, noting that Callais “took a large step toward ending the partisan abuse of race to carve up Congressional districts in a way that violates the Constitution” even if the Court’s “reasoning was more complicated than it needed to be.”
Jason Snead and Hans von Spakovsky argue that states should move forward with their own proof-of-citizenship requirements in voter registration even if the SAVE America Act stalls in Congress.
Eric McGhee and Mindy Romero argue that California’s slow vote count is driven less by late-arriving ballots than by the state’s high-volume vote-by-mail system and time-intensive verification requirements.
Maureen Edobor analyzes the recent Virginia Supreme Court redistricting argument.
Richard Bernstein argues that the major questions doctrine should be applied to federal election administration, contending that courts should not allow the executive branch to make election policy decisions without clear congressional authorization.
Lauren LaRue Topping states that the Sixth Circuit’s recent ruling in Ronan v. LaRose gives strong constitutional backing to Tennessee Republican Party rules requiring candidates to demonstrate genuine party affiliation before appearing on a primary ballot.
The MIT Election Data + Science Lab announced the release of its 2024 Elections Performance Index which provides a “comprehensive look at election administration in the United States during the 2024 Presidential Election.”
The Grant Institute has potential openings for junior level attorneys and others interested in the study of election administration and voting issues. Interested candidates should please email their resume to info@grantdemocracy.org.