Can arizona count mail in votes before the polls close

In Arizona, mail-in ballots can be counted before the polls close on Election Day, but there are some limitations and guidelines that apply.

According to Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) §16-621, mail-in ballots can be counted before the polls close if they are received by the county recorder's office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. This is known as the "postmark deadline."

However, if a mail-in ballot is received after 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, it will not be counted unless it was postmarked on or before Election Day. This is because the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that mail-in ballots must be received by the county recorder's office by the close of polls to be counted.

In practice, county recorders' offices in Arizona typically begin processing mail-in ballots several days before Election Day. They will typically open the envelopes, verify the voter's identity, and then count the ballots as they are received.

It's worth noting that some counties in Arizona, such as Maricopa County, have implemented a "ballot tracking" system that allows voters to track the status of their mail-in ballot online. This system can provide voters with an estimate of when their ballot will be received and counted.

Overall, while mail-in ballots can be counted before the polls close in Arizona, there are still some limitations and guidelines that apply to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the election process.