PHOENIX — In response to the processing needs for an unusually lengthy two-page ballot, workers from various departments in Arizona’s largest county are being reassigned to assist election officials in a continuous operation aimed at managing early ballots. This initiative began on Thursday night and underscores the county’s commitment to ensuring the accurate counting of votes.

In Maricopa County, election officials face the critical task of verifying the signatures on early ballot envelopes before separating the ballot pages for counting. The duration of this around-the-clock operation remains uncertain, reflecting the challenges brought on by the new ballot format. “As expected, our first two-page ballot since 2006 has introduced complexities in election administration, especially for the bipartisan teams diligently working on separating ballot pages from the affidavit envelopes,” explained the deputy elections director for communications in Maricopa County. Although specific details about the number of assisting staff were not provided, county employees are stepping in to enhance the operational effort.

According to the Maricopa County Recorder, the response from voters has been robust, with 1 million ballots already received, signifying nearly 40% of Arizona’s total registered voter base of 2.6 million. As Election Day approaches, officials are encouraging voters to either participate early or devise a plan if they intend to vote in person on Tuesday.

In Arizona, early voting—especially by mail—has historically been favored, with nearly 80% of voters submitting their ballots in advance of Election Day during the 2020 elections, based on data from the Secretary of State’s Office. Arizona also became the first among key battleground states to initiate early in-person voting sites, beginning on October 9, while maintaining some traditional voting locations.

For those who opted for mail-in ballots, there is also the option to return them in person at polling places or designated drop boxes. However, it’s important for voters to be aware that mail ballots arriving post-Friday or those dropped off on Election Day typically will not be counted until after that day, potentially delaying the results for closely contested races by over a week.

As of the October 7 registration deadline, Arizona boasts 4.36 million registered voters eligible for the upcoming election, with many other counties also employing a two-page ballot system. However, the specific length of the ballots may differ depending on local contests, even within a single county.

Election officials statewide have cautioned about potential delays at polling stations. In Maricopa County specifically, there are concerns that vote-counting machines could experience jams if ballot pages are not processed separately in the counting system. The average ballot in Maricopa County will feature approximately 79 contests spanning local, state, and federal levels, along with propositions that apply statewide.