Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes explains the county’s plan to take corrective actions after glitches in August’s primary election. (Photo by Gina Dattolo/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes said Wednesday the county will use employees instead of contractors in the November election, a move to avoid the computer problems that spurred widespread delays and voter anger in the primary election.
Fontes, who blamed contractors for computer equipment and other technical difficulties at 62 polling locations in the Aug. 28 primary, said at a news conference he’s confident employees can best handle the Nov. 6 general election.
“We are not going to be using that same contractor,” he said. “We are going to go back to relying completely on county employees because we know that our county employees are dedicated professionals.”
Fontes also pledged to communicate better with voters. He had said the county knew the day before the election there were problems at some polling locations but believed most had been taken care of by election day. However, dozens of voters complained they waited hours to vote, had to return or were directed to vote elsewhere.
“We’re making sure that we not only learn the lesson that we have to communicate better, but execute on that lesson and try to communicate better,” Fontes said. “We have apologized to the voters that were affected and impacted by this.”
Volunteers will still be needed to help at voters at the polls.
Residents who want to volunteer with the Maricopa County Recorder and Elections Department can fill out an application on the county’s website.
Follow us on Twitter.