Despite problems, Maricopa County Supervisors decide against extending polling hours

PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- The chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has announced the board will not petition the Arizona Supreme Court to extend polling site hours in the county, after news that a number of polling places were not completely set up as voting began Tuesday morning.

Tuesday's voting woes happened, two years after voters endured hours-long lines in another election. According to a tweet made by Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes on his unverified Twitter page, the set up in 62 polling places had not been complete, as of 6:00 a.m., but all sites were functional by 11:30 a.m.

"The Recorder's Office received $3.9 million for new technology last fiscal year (FY18) and appropriated almost $20 million for elections this fiscal year so there is no shortage of resources to run a successful election," read a statement issued by Steve Chucri, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Chucri further wrote that members of the Board were not told of any concerns on Monday, when Fontes first became aware of the issues, nor were they notified prior to the polls opening on Tuesday.

"We encourage any voter who wants to cast their ballot to be in line at any of your designated polling places by 7 pm and their vote will be counted," Chucri wrote.