By Cecilia Chan

Independent Newsmedia

Maricopa County Elections officials anticipate an uptick in voter turnout for the April 24 general election in Congressional District 8.

Republican Debbie Lesko faces off against Democrat Hiral Tipirneni for the seat vacated by Trent Franks in December. Mr. Franks resigned abruptly after allegations of inappropriate behavior against two women staffers surfaced.

Ballots went out last week in the heavily Republican district of 455,615 registered voters, where just 25 percent of voters or 116,732 cast ballots in the Feb. 27 primary.

“We are currently planning for a 40 percent turnout, though that could change based on voter excitement over the race,” said C. Murphy Hebert, a spokeswoman for the county recorder’s office.

Ms. Hebert said the estimated cost for holding both elections will be around $3 million — $1.34 million for the primary and $1.55 million for the general.

“If it is higher than that amount, the budget will be more expensive due to the increased cost of processing more returned mail ballots,” she said. “If the turnout is lower than 40 percent, there may be savings.”

She noted the costs are not fixed and are affected by participation.

“The Legislature approved $2.5 million for this election so it is our hope that the state will allocate additional funding,” she said. “If not then the rest of the money will come from the county general fund.”

The February primary saw 108,238 early ballots returned while just 8,485 voters went to the polls on election day, according to a county canvass report.

Republicans had a 41.33 percent turnout while Democrats saw a 38.93 percent turnout.The district makeup breaks down to 188,277 voters registered Republican, 110,216 Democrats and 153,693 independent voters.

Ms. Hebert said it’s anticipated 4 to 5 percent of registered voters will actually go to one of 55 polling locations on election day.

Early voting locations also opened last week.

In the West Valley, voters can go to Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, now through April 20; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 7 and April 14 and 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday, April 15.

Early voting also is available at Thunderbird Senior Living, 5401 W. Dailey St., Glendale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, April 16-20 and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., April 14-15.In the Southwest Valley, voters can go to Goodyear City Hall, 190 N. Litchfield Road, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 15-15; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, April 16-20.