Recount laws in Arizona

* * *

* * *

Election Information
2024 election dates and deadlines
Voting in 2024
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times

* * *

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

* * *

Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubmit

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

* 1 Summary of recount laws
* 2 Arizona recount procedures
* 2.1 Automatic recount procedures
* 2.2 Requested recount procedures
* 3 Arizona voting equipment
* 4 50-state overview of recount laws
* 5 50-state overview of requested recounts
* 6 State legislation
* 7 See also
* 8 Footnotes

## 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]

1. ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "ARS 16-661, 16-249" accessed March 19, 2024
2. ↑ Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
3. ↑ A court may a recount under Arizona law.
4. ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "ARS 16-661" accessed March 19, 2024
5. ↑ Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
6. ↑ A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
7. ↑ Verified Voting, "The Verifier - Polling Place Equipment - Current," accessed March 19, 2024
8. ↑ Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
9. ↑ A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
10. ↑ This category encompasses instances where the state government pays for recounts and those states where counties pay.
11. ↑ 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.
12. ↑ 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.
13. ↑ 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.
14. ↑ The state covers requested recounts of statewide constitutional amendments. The requester covers all other recounts.
15. ↑ 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.
16. ↑ No mention in state law.
17. ↑ No mention in state law.
18. ↑ 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