Prop 200 passed

Daily Star:

Proposition 200 will require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and display of some type of identification when casting a ballot.
 
It also mandates that public employees verify the “immigration status” of applicants for “public benefits.” Workers who ignore the law would be subject to four month jail terms.

Incumbents Sweep Arizona’s Federal Races

The Washington Post has given the election in seven out of eight U.S. Congressional races to the incumbent. J.D. Hayworth (Rep), Jeff Flake (Rep), Raul Grijalva (Dem), Jim Kolbe (Rep), Ed Pastor (Dem), John Shadegg (Rep), and Trent Franks (Rep) have all kept their seats, winning by wide margins. In the “undecided” race, incumbent Rick Renzi (Rep) leads challenger Paul Babbit (Dem) 59.%1 to 35.7% with 61% of precincts reporting.

As previously reported, Sen. John McCain (Rep) has outpaced challenger Stuart Starky (Dem).

Cross Posted at bLogicus.

Bush Wins Arizona

With 77% of precincts reporting and Bush leading Kerry 54.9% to 44.5%, the Washington Post has given Arizona to Bush.

Cross Posted to bLogicus.

Update

KVOA TV in Tucson has called Arizona for President Bush and I agree.

Update: FNC just called it for Bush.

Bush Continues with Strong Lead in Arizona

With 76% of polls reporting, Bush leads Kerry 54.9 to 44.5%

Bush Leads in Arizona with 55% of Polls Reporting

With 55% of polls reporting, Bush leads 54.5 to 44.9%.

Early Results Favor Bush in Arizona

With 39% of polls reporting, Bush leads Kerry 54.2 to 45.2%. [source: AZ Secretary of State]

McCain Declared Winner in Arizona

Incumbent John McCain (Rep) has been listed the winner of the Arizona senatorial race by the Washington Post.

Arizona Draws Large Crowds, McCain Votes

The main story in Arizona, as in other parts of the country, is the large voter turn out. Polling locations have reported long lines and waits well over one hour. Sen. John McCain made a brief statement after voting earlier today:

“I think it is great that we’re going to have a big turnout, that’s what America is all about,” said McCain. “I just hope that we’re not up too late.” - The Business Journal

The Arizona Republic reports:

Voters swarmed Arizona polling sites Tuesday creating serpentine lines and a shortage of provisional ballot materials in a record-setting election that apparently was not marred by catastrophic troubles.

“It’s going pretty smooth,” Secretary of State Jan Brewer said as voting peaked in the afternoon. “We’ve had a tremendous turnout, but people are very patient and very calm waiting in line.”

For state election results go to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Web site at www.azsos.gov or the Washington Post. For Maricopa County ballot results go to the Maricopa County Recorder’s Web site at recorder.maricopa.gov/electionresults.

Cross Posted at: bLogicus

Record-Breaking Turnout Predicted in Southern Arizona

Daily Star:

An unprecedented surge in early voters has Pima County election officials predicting a record-breaking 85 percent turnout in today’s election.
 
Beginning at 6 a.m., more than a quarter-million voters are expected to start making their way to the county’s 375 polling places.
 
The result, officials say, could be long lines, beleaguered poll workers and maybe even candidates who go to bed tonight unsure if they’ve won or lost.
 
By the time the polls close at 7 p.m., as many as 380,000 county residents - more than a third of the entire county population - are expected to have cast ballots.

At least the weather will be nice while we are standing in line.

Record Voter Turn-Out Expected

The Arizona Republic reports the number of registered voters in Arizona rose 470,000, or 21 percent, since elections in 2000. Experts believe three-fourths of those registered might vote in Tuesday’s election. In 2002, only 55 percent went to the polls in Maricopa County.

Due to the record voter turn-out and highly contested races, Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne said the Valley’s vote tabulation for 2004 probably will not be completed until 10 days after the election, and close races are likely to remain undecided for just as long [full article]. The reason:

Vote counters anticipate more than 50,000 provisional, or challenged, ballots that must be individually scrutinized to determine whether they are legitimate. In addition, authorities expect more than 85,000 “early” ballots to arrive Tuesday, and those cannot be scanned until after the regular votes are counted.

In other news, the Arizona Democratic Party remains upset “about a Friday automated telephone call to voters they claim inappropriately blamed them for a series of vandalism acts against state Republican Party facilities.” State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pederson asserted, “The Republican Party obviously has no campaign left to run in Arizona other than one of fear and dirty tricks.”

Cross Posted at bLogicus

Pre-Election Summary of the Presidential Race

According to the Washington Post, Arizona’s 10 electoral votes will be cast in favor of George Bush.

Democrats had hoped to make this a presidential battleground, but Bush is in good shape. Sen. John McCain (Rep) will easily win a fourth term against math teacher Stuart Starky (Dem). Freshman Rep. Rick Renzi started his reelection bid as one of the House’s most vulnerable Republicans, but he is expected to defeat Paul Babbitt (D), brother of former governor and interior secretary Bruce Babbitt.

Recognizing the unfavorable poll numbers, the Kerry campaign re-focused its efforts away from Arizona on onto other swing states in mid to late October [source: Arizona Republic]. Election Projection has Bush leading Kerry by 6.5% and Electoral Votes gives the race to Bush by approximately the same amount.

Cross Posted at bLogicus