Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration.
An election recount is a process by which votes cast in an election are re-tabulated to verify the accuracy of the original results. Recounts typically occur in the event of a close margin of victory, following accusations of election fraud, or due to the possibility of administrative errors. Recounts can either occur automatically or be requested by a candidate or voters.
Note: The content below describes recount procedures in Arizona. The information on this page is not intended to serve as a manual for those seeking to start or halt a recount; individuals seeking more information about specific processes and requirements should contact their state election agencies.
Contents
1Summary of recount laws
2Arizona recount procedures
2.1Automatic recount procedures
2.2Requested recount procedures
3Arizona voting equipment
450-state overview of recount laws
550-state overview of requested recounts
6State legislation
7See also
8Footnotes
Summary of recount laws[edit]
The list below shows answers to common questions regarding recounts in Arizona.[1]
Does state law require automatic recounts?
Yes, when a margin of victory in an election is less than or equal to 0.5% of total votes cast.
When must an automatic recount be completed?
No set deadline.
Can a recount be requested?
Recounts may not be requested in this state.[2][3]
Who pays for a requested recount?
Recounts may not be requested in this state.
Is a refund available for requested recount costs?
Not applicable. State law does not allow requested recounts.
Can a partial recount be requested?
No.
Arizona recount procedures[edit]
Automatic recount procedures[edit]
Automatic recounts are required if a candidate or measure is defeated by less than or equal to 0.5% of the total votes cast.[4]
Requested recount procedures[edit]
Arizona does not allow requested recounts.[5][6]
For more information about recount procedures in Arizona, click here.
Arizona voting equipment[edit]
See also: Voting methods and equipment by state
Arizona uses paper and Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) systems for its elections.[7]
50-state overview of recount laws[edit]
The table below summarizes where state laws allow for automatic and requested recounts. Click "show" to view the table.
As of July 2024, state law in 48 states included a recount provision, automatic recounts are possible in 27 states, and requested recounts are possible in 43 states.
Recount laws
State
Does state law include a recount provision?
Are automatic recounts possible?
Are requested recounts possible?
Citation
Alabama
Yes
Yes
Yes
16-20,21
Alaska
Yes
Yes
Yes
20.430-490
Arizona
Yes
Yes
No[8][9]
16-661,249
Arkansas
Yes
No
Yes
7-5-319
California
Yes
No
Yes
15620-15634
Colorado
Yes
Yes
Yes
1-10.5
Connecticut
Yes
Yes
No
9-445,6-311a
Delaware
Yes
Yes
Yes
5702(C,E)
District of Columbia
Yes
Yes
Yes
1-1001.11(a)
Florida
Yes
Yes
No
102.141,166
Georgia
Yes
No
Yes
21-2-495,499
Hawaii
Yes
Yes
No
11-158
Idaho
Yes
No
Yes
34-2301-2309
Illinois
Yes
No
Yes
5/22-9.1, 18
Indiana
Yes
No
Yes
3-12-11-1-10
Iowa
Yes
No
Yes
43.56 & 50.48
Kansas
Yes
No
Yes
25-3107
Kentucky
Yes
Yes
Yes
120.017,095,185,250,280
Louisiana
Yes
No
Yes
18-1451 & 1453
Maine
Yes
No
Yes
737-A
Maryland
Yes
No
Yes
12-101-107
Massachusetts
Yes
No
Yes
54:135,A,B
Michigan
Yes
Yes
Yes
168.879-894
Minnesota
Yes
Yes
Yes
204C.35-361
Mississippi
No
No
No
N/A
Missouri
Yes
No
Yes
115.601
Montana
Yes
Yes
Yes
13-16-201-11
Nebraska
Yes
Yes
Yes
32-1119,1121
Nevada
Yes
No
Yes
293.403-405
New Hampshire
Yes
No
Yes
660:1-16
New Jersey
Yes
No
Yes
19:28-1,2,3
New Mexico
Yes
Yes
Yes
1-14-14 to 25
New York
Yes
Yes
Yes
9-208
North Carolina
Yes
Yes
Yes
163-182.7,182.7A
North Dakota
Yes
Yes
Yes
16.1-16-01
Ohio
Yes
Yes
Yes
3515.01-072
Oklahoma
Yes
No
Yes
26-8-109 to 117
Oregon
Yes
Yes
Yes
258.006-300
Pennsylvania
Yes
Yes
Yes
3154g,3261-3
Rhode Island
Yes
No
Yes
17-19-37.1
South Carolina
Yes
Yes
No
7-17-280
South Dakota
Yes
Yes
Yes
12-21-1 to 37
Tennessee
No
No
No
2-17,18
Texas
Yes
Yes
Yes
211 to 216
Utah
Yes
Yes
Yes
20A-4-401
Vermont
Yes
Yes
Yes
17-51-2601,2602
Virginia
Yes
No
Yes
8-24.2-800 to 802.3
Washington
Yes
Yes
Yes
29A.64
West Virginia
Yes
No
Yes
3-6-9
Wisconsin
Yes
No
Yes
9.01 & 5.90
Wyoming
Yes
Yes
Yes
22-16-109 to 114
50-state overview of requested recounts[edit]
The table below summarizes how requested recounts are paid for and whether it is possible for candidates to request a partial recount. Click "show" to view the table.
As of July 2024, the requester of a recount pays for the recount in 23 states, the state pays in six states, and in 12 states it depends on the circumstances of the election or the recount. In 27 states a refund may be available for a requested recount, in 12 states a refund depends on the circumstances of the recount, and in four states no refund is available. Requested recounts are not possible in the remaining seven states. In 28 states a partial recount may be requested.
Who pays for requested recounts?
State[10]
Who pays for a requested recount?
Refund available?
Can candidates request a partial recount?
Citation
Alabama
Requester
Yes
Yes
16-20,21
Alaska
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
Yes
20.430-490
Arizona
No requested recounts
N/A
No
16-661,249
Arkansas
Requester
Yes
No
7-5-319
California
Requester
Yes
Yes
15620-15634
Colorado
Requester
Yes
No
10.5-101-109
Connecticut
No requested recounts
N/A
No
9-445,6-311a
Delaware
State
N/A
Yes
5702(C,E)
District of Columbia
Requester
Yes
Yes
1-1001.11(a)
Florida
No requested recounts
N/A
No
102.141,166
Georgia
State
N/A
Yes
21-2-495,499
Hawaii
No requested recounts
N/A
No
11-158
Idaho
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
Yes
34-2301-2309
Illinois
Requester
Maybe[11]
Yes
5/22-9.1, 18
Indiana
Requester
Yes
Yes
3-12-11-1-10
Iowa
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
Yes
43.56 & 50.48
Kansas
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
Yes
25-3107
Kentucky
Requester
No
Yes
120.017,095,185,250,280
Louisiana
Requester
Yes
Yes
18-1451 & 1453
Maine
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
No
737-A
Maryland
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
Yes
12-101-107
Massachusetts
State
N/A
Yes
54:135,A,B
Michigan
Requester
Yes
Yes
168.879-894
Minnesota
State/Requester Depends on margin
N/A
Yes
204C.35-361
Mississippi
No requested recounts
N/A
No
N/A
Missouri
Requester
Maybe[12]
No
115.601
Montana
State/Requester Depends on margin
Maybe[13]
No
13-16-201-11
Nebraska
Requester
Yes
Yes
32-1119,1121
Nevada
Requester
Yes
No
293.403-405
New Hampshire
State/Requester Depends on election type[14]
Varies[15]
No
660:1-16
New Jersey
Requester
Yes
Yes
19:28-1,2,3
New Mexico
Requester
Yes
Yes
1-14-14 to 25
New York
Unclear[16]
No
No
9-208
North Carolina
State
N/A
No
163-182.7,182.7A
North Dakota
Requester
No
No
16.1-16-01
Ohio
Requester
Yes
Yes
3515.01-072
Oklahoma
Requester
Yes
Yes
26-8-109 to 117
Oregon
Requester
Yes
Yes
258.006-300
Pennsylvania
Requester
Yes
Yes
3154g,3261-3
Rhode Island
Unclear[17]
No
No
17-19-37.1
South Carolina
No requested recounts
N/A
No
7-17-280
South Dakota
State
N/A
Yes
12-21-1 to 37
Tennessee
No requested recounts
N/A
No
2-17,18
Texas
Requester
Yes
Yes
211 to 216
Utah
State/Requester Depends on requester[18]
N/A
No
20A-4-401
Vermont
State
N/A
No
17-51-2601,2602
Virginia
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
No
8-24.2-800 to 802.3
Washington
Requester
Yes
Yes
29A.64
West Virginia
Requester
Yes
Yes
3-6-9
Wisconsin
State/Requester Depends on margin
Yes
Yes
9.01 & 5.90
Wyoming
Requester
Yes
No
22-16-109 to 114
State legislation[edit]
The table below lists bills related to recounts introduced during (or carried over to) Arizona's regular legislative session this year. The following information is included for each bill:
State
Bill number
Official bill name or caption
Most recent action date
Legislative status
Sponsor party
Topics dealt with by the bill
Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.
See also[edit]
Election recount laws and procedures in the 50 states
Voting in Arizona
Arizona
Voting methods and equipment by state
Footnotes[edit]
↑Arizona State Legislature, "ARS 16-661, 16-249" accessed March 19, 2024
↑Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
↑A court may a recount under Arizona law.
↑Arizona State Legislature, "ARS 16-661" accessed March 19, 2024
↑Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
↑A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
↑Verified Voting, "The Verifier - Polling Place Equipment - Current," accessed March 19, 2024
↑Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
↑A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
↑This category encompasses instances where the state government pays for recounts and those states where counties pay.
↑A recount alone cannot change the election results, but can be used to contest the election. At the end of that process, the court may choose not to levy costs against the prevailing party.
↑Recounts occur as part of a contested election. A requester may be required to cover costs before the start of such an event. The court may choose to require the unsuccessful party in a contested election to cover the costs, which could involve a refund to the requester if he or she is the successful party.
↑In the case of a court-ordered recount, candidates must pay, but will be refunded if the outcome changes. Regarding non-court-ordered recounts, state law does not mention whether the candidate is refunded in such a case.
↑The state covers requested recounts of statewide constitutional amendments. The requester covers all other recounts.
↑For local and county ballot measure elections, state law does not mention the possibility of a refund. For all other recounts, costs paid by the requester are refunded if the recount changes the election outcome.
↑No mention in state law.
↑No mention in state law.
↑The state pays for candidate-requested recounts. The requester pays for voter-requested recounts of ballot measures.
v•e
Election policy
Election legislation
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker • Ballotpedia's The Ballot Bulletin • Election legislation tracking: list of sub-topics • Absentee/mail-in voting • Early voting • Election dates and deadlines • Election Day voting • Ranked-choice voting • Redistricting • Voter registration
Election administration
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • Washington, D.C. • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Voting policy
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Electoral systems policy
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Primary elections policy
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Redistricting policy
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Recount laws
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Ballot access for political candidates
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Ballot access for presidential candidates
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Ballot access for political parties
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Electoral systems
Single-winner system • Multi-winner system • Block voting system • Plurality voting system • Majority voting system • Top-two primary • Blanket primary • Open primary • Closed primary • Semi-closed primary • Top-four primary • Ranked-choice voting (RCV) • STAR voting • Approval voting • Fusion voting
v•e
Ballotpedia
About
Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities
Executive: Leslie Graves, President • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer
Communications: Alison Graves • Carley Allensworth • Abigail Campbell • Sarah Groat • Nathaniel Harwood • Dillon Redmond • Erica Shumaker External Relations: Ashley Fleming • Hannah Nelson • Katy Noble Operations: Meghann Olshefski • Amanda Herbert • Mandy Morris • Caroline Presnell • Kelly Rindfleisch Policy: Michael Leland • Jon Dunn • Amy Handlin • Jimmy McAllister • Annelise Reinwald • Emma Soukup • William Vogel Content Strategy: Josh Altic Tech: Matt Latourelle • Ryan Burch • Kirsten Corrao • Beth Dellea • Travis Eden • Tate Kamish • Margaret Kearney • Eric Lotto • Joseph Sanchez • Mary Susmitha
Contributors: Scott Rasmussen
Editorial Content
Geoff Pallay, Director of Editorial Content and Editor-in-Chief • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy • Norm Leahy, Senior Editor • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Doug Kronaizl, Local Elections Project Manager • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Joseph Brusgard • Emma Burlingame • Kelly Coyle • Thomas Ellis • Frank Festa • Nicole Fisher • Brianna Hosea • Joseph Greaney • Thomas Grobben • Jaime Healy-Plotkin • Tyler King • Glorie Martinez • Nathan Maxwell • Ellie Mikus • Jackie Mitchell • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Kaley Platek • Samantha Post • Adam Powell • Ethan Rice • Spencer Richardson • Victoria Rose • Briana Ryan • Myj Saintyl • Maddy Salucka • Maddie Sinclair Johnson • Abbey Smith • Alexis Thacker • Janie Valentine • Joel Williams • Samuel Wonacott • Trenton Woodcox • Mercedes Yanora