The Maricopa County Elections Department begins counting early ballots today, with more than 645,000 ballots ready for tabulation.

The county has mailed over 2 million ballots, and more than 20,000 voters have already chosen to vote in person.

Thanks to a 2018 law that allows ballot counting two weeks prior to Election Day and upgraded tabulation equipment, Maricopa County will be able to count more early ballots, and do it faster than in previous elections.

The county’s new equipment, upgraded in 2019, includes features designed to improve efficiency, tabulation speed and security over the tabulation process.

It also comes with a new ballot style where voters mark ovals instead of arrows.

The Elections Department will release unofficial results at 8 p.m. on Election Night. The county estimates that nearly all early ballots returned by the end of the month would be included in the first upload. The Elections Department will post results from Maricopa County’s 175 Election Day Vote Centers throughout Election Night.

After Election Day, the county will post unofficial election results nightly at 7 p.m. and provide an estimated number of ballots left to count.

Voters have until November 10 at 5 p.m. to provide acceptable identification for provisional ballots and to verify any mismatched signatures on their mail ballot affidavit envelope.

Results are final once all ballots are counted and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors canvasses the election (A.R.S. § 16-642).

Maricopa County is expecting historic voter turnout with nearly 2.6 million voters eligible to participate.

The county is expanding voter options for the November General Election, while focusing on the health and safety of voters and poll workers.

Voters can choose to vote by mail or vote in-person.

Voters have until October 23 by 5 p.m. to request a ballot in the mail at BeBallotReady.Vote.

In-person voting is available, with Vote Centers open since October 7 and more locations opening on October 22 in large locations that will allow for physical distancing and enhanced safety protocols.

Drive through drop box locations open in the parking lots of 12 county sports facilities on Oct. 24.

Find Vote Center and drop box locations and hours at Locations.Maricopa.Vote.

Voters can see what’s on their ballot, find out where to vote, sign up to vote by mail and more at BeBallotReady.Vote.