Reid calls for Arizona votes to be counted 'promptly, accurately and equally'

By Ramsey Cox - 11/12/12 02:03 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is calling on Arizona to count all votes fairly, as the state continues to tally ballots nearly a week after Election Day.

Reid’s statement came a day after reports said nearly 525,000 votes remained uncounted out of 1.8 million total ballots cast. In Maricopa County, more than 350,000 votes remained uncounted.

“All of the votes in Arizona must be counted promptly, accurately and equally,” Reid said in a statement Saturday. “The uncounted votes in Maricopa County alone represent a major portion of the total votes cast in Arizona on Tuesday.”

Although Reid did not mention the Senate race in Arizona between Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Democrat Richard Carmona, in which roughly 80,000 votes separate the two candidates. Flake is ahead of Carmona, but that could change depending on the uncounted ballots.

Arizona’s strict new voter ID laws meant that more provisional ballots were handed out on Election Day — Arizona Democrats have said the number of provisional ballots were higher in Hispanic neighborhoods.

Arizona law gives election officials 10 days to verify and process provisional ballots, giving them until Friday to finish counting the votes.

Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on whether the Arizona voting laws violate the Voting Rights Act.

“In light of the Supreme Court’s decision to hear challenges to the Voting Rights Act, we are reminded that the right to vote is the foundation of our democracy,” Reid said. “That right is not secure when some votes are counted while others are suppressed or ignored. I expect state and local officials in Arizona to ensure that every vote is counted promptly, accurately and equally.”

Two House races have yet to be called, as well. Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) is 289 votes ahead of Republican opponent Martha McSally, as of Saturday. And Democrat Krysten Sinema held a small lead over Republican Vernon Parker in Arizona’s 9th District.