The Maricopa County Recorder's Office in the swing state of Arizona received a record number of voter registration forms on October 7, the last valid day to register to vote for the 2024 presidential elections. Authorities are now informing that out of 90,000 forms submitted, some 40,000 were either incomplete or damaged.
"At this time we estimate we received roughly 30,000-40,000 forms on the deadline that were torn, damaged, or even blank," said Maricopa County Recorder Steven Richer to ABC 15 in Arizona. "We had people with entire trash bags full of voter registration forms in our lobby."
Officials added that a significant number of problematic forms were from groups previously flagged for irregularities. Richer cited longstanding concerns about the issue, recalling authorities had "asked lawmakers repeatedly in years past to address the integrity of paper voter registration forms dropped off by third-party groups yet, sadly, nothing has been done."
The influx of incomplete forms raises potential challenges for voters who might believe they're registered but are currently facing delays or additional requirements at polling stations, where they may need to show additional proof, such as address or identification.
"Even a few extra seconds added to the processing time of tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of voters, can contribute to longer lines," Tammy Patrick from the National Association of Election Officials told Arizona Family. "If you haven't received any information in your name from the county recorder's office or a voter ID card, and if you thought you registered, it's very possible that voting could take longer than expected," she added.
Anticipating high voter turnout, Maricopa County officials reported receiving approximately 1.5 million ballots by Monday, an increase from 2016 and in line with 2020 figures. "We have invested in more voting centers, more check-in stations, and more voting booths than ever before," said Zach Schira, the county assistant manager. "We have new printers, a new high-speed tabulators, and we are ready to serve any voter who wants to cast a ballot on Election Day."
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