PHOENIX – Arizona election officials are warning voters of potential delays at polling places as well as possible malfunctions with vote-counting machines due to a new multipage ballot format, a significant change in the state’s presidential election process.
For the first time in nearly two decades, a majority of Arizona voters will receive a two-page ballot printed on both sides. This shift sees nine of the state’s fifteen counties moving from traditional single-sheet ballots to newly designed 17-inch paper ballots, featuring an average of 79 contests for local, state, and federal offices, alongside statewide propositions.
While many states routinely handle multipage ballots without complications, any alterations to voting procedures in Arizona often lead to heightened scrutiny and a rise in election-related conspiracy theories. The state has faced a surge of misinformation since the 2020 election, which former President Donald Trump lost by a narrow margin.
Maricopa County, the most populous county that encompasses Phoenix, has seen staffing changes, including the departure of Stephen Richer, a previous Republican election chief who defended the integrity of Arizona’s voting process. The county is now preparing voters for the newly lengthy ballot as early voting approaches.
Maricopa County Elections Director Scott Jarrett announced plans for a record 246 vote centers, an increase from 175 in the last presidential election, alongside 8,000 voting booths, up from 5,000. He encourages the estimated 2.1 million Arizona voters to research candidates and ballot measures prior to the election on Nov. 5, urging them to decide whether to vote by mail or in person.
Concerns regarding the lengthy ballot are echoed by some voters. Jack Balson, a 64-year-old Republican from Phoenix, expressed fears that the complicated ballot could deter participation, while first-time independent voter Ahmad Tamini felt confident navigating the process.
In northern Arizona, Coconino County officials are also advising voters to prepare for the potential challenges associated with the new dual-sided ballots, particularly in locations like Page where some will receive four-sided ballots.
Election officials predict over one million votes will be cast early through mail ballots, with an estimated 625,000 to 730,000 voters expected to submit their ballots on Election Day.
Jarrett emphasized that the expanded ballot will likely require voters more time to complete, estimating completion times between nine and 13 minutes, with some potentially taking up to two hours. He also cautioned that the new ballot format may lead to jams in voting machines, as voters will need to insert two sheets instead of one. To mitigate this, poll workers are receiving additional training to troubleshoot tabulation issues and address voter concerns.
