Maricopa County election workers have finished counting ballots for the November 3, 2026, general election, and the results for Arizona’s Legislative District 27 are now heading toward a mandatory recount.
Close race forces automatic recount
Democrat Deborah Howard secured the first of the two House seats with 40,161 votes (37.4%). The second seat, however, is contested between Republican incumbents Lisa Fink and Tony Rivero. Fink received 33,724 votes (31.4%) and Rivero garnered 33,413 votes (31.1%), leaving a difference of only 311 votes.
Because the margin falls within the 0.5% threshold set by state law, an automatic recount is required. The recount cannot begin until the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the Arizona Secretary of State certify the results. The board is scheduled to meet on Nov. 18 to canvass the district’s results, and the official statewide canvass will occur on Nov. 23.
Voter turnout and next steps
Election officials reported that 1,559,706 voters in Maricopa County cast ballots, representing just over 60% of eligible voters. Following the certification, the county will conduct a post‑election logic and accuracy test on its voting equipment on Friday, a process that will be streamed for public viewing.
Both campaigns have pledged to respect the recount process. While the race is currently framed as a partisan contest, the recount is a routine safeguard designed to ensure that every vote is accurately counted, reinforcing confidence in Arizona’s electoral system.
What residents should know
Voters in District 27 can expect the recount to be conducted in accordance with state statutes, with observers from both campaigns allowed to monitor the procedure. The outcome will be announced after the statewide canvass on Nov. 23, at which point the final composition of the Arizona House for District 27 will be confirmed.
For those interested in watching the logic and accuracy test, a live stream will be available on the Maricopa County elections website on Friday.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
