Why does it take so long to count votes out West—and does it matter?

The bipartisan panel featured Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse-Oliver and Weber County, Utah Clerk Auditor Ricky Hatch. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, moderated the discussion.

Panelists explored the complexities of election administration, vote counting timelines and the importance of public trust in election processes.

The event, hosted at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, drew a crowd of students, community members and journalists. Audience engagement was high, with students engaging with panelists on issues ranging from technology and ballot security to public trust and transparency.