The county has gained about 200,000 new residents since 2000, according to the 2000 and 2010 censuses. Now, about 375,000 people live in Pinal County, the latest census said.
Of the 160,262 registered voters, 30,745 cast ballots in the Aug.28 primary elections, for a total of 19.18 percent, officials said.
The results are unofficial and could change as the about 8,000 mail-in, drop- off and provisional ballots are counted, county elections officials said.
Counting of the mail-in and provisional ballots started on Aug. 31, and was expected to end sometime on Saturday.
There are about 4,000 mail-in ballots, 2,500 drop- off ballots and 800 provisional ballots.
A provisional ballot is used when the legitimacy of a vote is in question. Not being able to verify your identity or an inability to read a ballot are some ways they could be used.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Some citizens in Apache Junction were hoping for a different outcome last Tuesday. “I sure don’t want Babeu to win,” said Jerry Ledoux, who lives in Apache Junction, as he voted at Cactus Canyon Junior High, 801 W. Southern Ave. “ These incumbents don’t seem to do much but waste time, money or do nonsense. That’s why I try to vote for the challengers. Unless somebody is doing something, I try not to vote for the incumbent and give someone else a chance to run things.”
Even though Mr. Ledoux is tired by the political struggle, he finds humor in it as well.
“ With all these election signs around, at least I have enough cardboard to start a fire when I go camping,” he said.
Carol Rysavy, also of Apache Junction, was hoping her political values would find a voice in Pinal County’s new government.
“I’m mostly voting for conservatives,” she said. “ They are the ones making the most sense this time around.”
One of the issues Ms. Rysavy cares about the most is balancing the county’s budget; an area that she feels has been mismanaged lately.
“It’s just getting way out of control,” she said. “ We need to get ahead of the spending, so let’s see if the Republicans can be the ones to do it this time.”
Gold Canyon residents showed signs of concern as they were arriving to vote at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, 6640 S. Kings Ranch Road.
CJ Miller, a Gold Canyon resident who describes herself as “anti-big government and high spending,” is hoping that someone will reduce Pinal County’s property tax rates.
”Property taxes are way too high. Pinal (County) has some of the highest rates in the country, and it’s keeping people away,” she said. “I can’t retire because the taxes are so high. I’ll probably have to move sooner or later.”
She’s also upset by education spending she sees as out of control.
“I’m in shock when I look at the education budget every year. Where is all this money going? They have millions of dollars, but still they need to cut programs and teachers every year,” she said. “ Take that new building with the copper roof (at Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain Campus). It’s insane to me how much that building cost, and for what? I have a really hard time seeing people wasting my tax dollars.”
Residents from San Tan Valley also had strong opinions regarding the election.
“Common sense is what’s lacking, and is what the county, and San Tan Valley, needs,” said San Tan Valley resident Mike Turner after voting at Mountain View Family Church, 4815 W. Hunt Highway. “It all comes back to common sense.”
Mr. Turner, who identifies himself as a liberal, thought people will be surprised by the election results.
“I don’t have all the answers, but I think we’re about to see a change,” he said. “I live here by choice, and I think that it’s a great area, but I don’t see the trickle down that was promised. I love San Tan Valley, Queen Creek and Arizona, and I worry about our kids and grandkids. I hope our government will too.”
The unofficial winners from the Aug. 28 elections were reported by the county as follows: Pete Rios will be the Democratic candidate for the District 1 supervisor, receiving 1,846 votes with 55.79 percent of those counted and defeating Mary Bateman Espinoza.
Gem Cox will be the Republican candidate for District 1 supervisor, receiving 948 votes with 56.50 percent of those counted and defeating Jim Montaño.
Cheryl Chase will be the Republican candidate for District 2 supervisor, which includes San Tan Valley,receiving 1,468 votes with 45.86 percent of those counted and defeating John Acton, Tisha Castillo, Michael McCord and Carol Springer.
David Snider will be the Democratic candidate for District 3 supervisor, receiving 2,183 votes while running unopposed.
Stephen Miller will be the Republican candidate for District 3 supervisor, receiving 1,502 votes with 53.66 percent of those counted and defeating Tom Hollenbach.
Henry Wade will be the Democratic candidate for District 4 supervisor, receiving 2,217 votes and running unopposed.
Anthony Smith will be the Republican candidate for District 4 supervisor, receiving 1,405 votes with 33.17 percent of those counted and defeating Nancy Discher, Fred Mackenzie and Raymond Petrulsky. It was a close race, and Mr. Smith beat Ms. Discher by only 43 votes, according to unofficial results available at press time.
Maxine Brown will be the Democratic candidate for District 5 supervisor, receiving 1,939 votes and running unopposed.
Todd House will be the Republican candidate for District 5 supervisor, receiving 1,830 votes with 40.34 percent of those counted and defeating Bill Dunbar and Pat Prince. John Enright appeared on the ballot against Mr. House, but had dropped out of the race.
James P. Walsh will be the Democratic candidate for the county attorney, receiving 10,181 votes and running unopposed.
Lando Voyles will be the Republican candidate for the county attorney, receiving 13,424 votes and running unopposed.
Kevin Taylor will be the Democratic candidate for sheriff, receiving 5,933 votes with 54.53 percent of those counted and defeating Glenn Millsaps.
Paul Babeu will be the Republican candidate for sheriff, receiving 11,208 votes with 61.61 percent of those counted and defeating Derek Arnson, Tom Bearup and Jack McClaren.
Dolores Doolittle will be the Democratic candidate for county treasurer, receiving 10,844 votes and running unopposed.
Steven L. Boyd will be the Republican candidate for county treasurer, receiving 13,879 votes and running unopposed.
Orlenda F. Roberts will be the Democratic candidate for schools superintendent, receiving 10,306 votes and running unopposed.
Jill Broussard will be the Republican candidate for schools superintendent, receiving 11,184 votes with 72.65 percent of those counted and defeating Anthony Gonzalez.
Barbara Kelly will be the Democratic candidate for county recorder, receiving 10,536 votes and running unopposed.
Virginia Ross will be the Republican candidate for county recorder, receiving 13,931 votes and running unopposed.
Randy Robbins will be the Democratic candidate for county assessor, receiving 10,341 votes and running unopposed.
Douglas Wolf will be the Republican candidate for county assessor, receiving 9,618 votes with 62.90 percent of those counted and defeating Jeffrey Acton.
By Alexander Foote
