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Mohave County elections staff defend new reporting, canvass primary results
Summary
Elections and recorder staff told the Board of Supervisors that new processes — including 'ballot guard' paper and a county election-night reporting vendor — helped the office complete and canvass the 2026 primary. The board adopted the canvass resolution and agreed to open a mezzanine to media on election night for transparency.
Mohave County elections and recorder staff reported to the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 3 that a series of procedural changes helped the county complete the 2026 primary and prepare for the general election. "We had 4,489 ballots that were dropped off at the poll site on election day," Elections Director Karina said during a presentation on administration and turnout. She described steps taken this year including a new ballot stock with anti-counterfeit features, an updated UOCAVA process for overseas ballots and a new county-level election-night reporting system that the county piloted with Enhanced Voting.
Recorder Henry credited county partners — from emergency management to the sheriff's department — for helping maintain chain-of-custody and ensure timely tabulation. "Success of the 2026 primary election is a direct reflection of the professionalism and dedication of the elections department, the recorder's office, and the many county partners," Henry said.
The board discussed transparency and media access after staff reported an incident in which a reporter entered the tabulation area this year. Staff proposed, and the board approved, opening the mezzanine to press and the public for the general election so people can view tabulation camera feeds and results from a locked public area. The elections director said a sheriff's deputy will monitor the mezzanine; supervisors recommended staffing two deputies for added security.
The board also adopted Resolution 2026‑136, approving the county's canvass of the primary election results. Karina presented turnout figures and described post‑election procedures: county turnout was 29.91% (compared with the statewide primary rate of 27.43%), most election‑day ballots were tabulated the night of the election, and late early ballots were processed and uploaded in the days following the contest.
The board asked staff to continue public education about how and when results are posted and to ensure procedures — signature verification, hand‑count audits and chain‑of‑custody for ballots flown in from remote precincts — are clearly explained to the public. The elections director reiterated the county's plan to continue testing systems ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
