Democrats, Republicans gather for watch parties, as Election Day starts to wind down
PHOENIX (AP/KSAZ) - In the Phoenix area, supporters of the Republican and Democratic Parties are gathering for their party's respective watch parties, as voters made their final decisions in a historic midterm election.
In Arizona, either Republican Rep. Martha McSally or Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema will become the state's first female U.S. Senator. Their contentious race for a seat being vacated by retiring Senator Jeff Flake has dominated the state's politics.
Voters will also decide whether to re-elect Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. They'll also choose officials for the state's various statewide offices from attorney general to corporation commissioner. A Republican-backed measure to permit an expansion of charter schools is on the ballot. So is a Democratic-backed one to increase the state's renewable energy standard.
The majority of Arizona voters have already cast their ballots early for the election. Officials are forecasting potentially record turnout for a midterm.