Welcome to this latest episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott. In this installment, we are joined by Constance Hargrove, Director of the Pima County Elections Department, for an in-depth and wide-ranging conversation about how elections are administered in one of Arizona’s largest counties. The discussion begins with Constance’s unexpected entry into the elections field—an opportunity that emerged when she was working at the Virginia Legislature and was invited to join the City of Richmond’s elections office. What started as an unfamiliar role grew into nearly two decades of experience, followed by time in seminary and later positions in Chesterfield County that ultimately led to her becoming Director of Elections for Pima County in 2022.

The conversation focuses on the structure of election responsibilities in Pima County, clarifying the distinct duties of the County Recorder’s Office—such as voter registration, list maintenance, and early ballot handling—and providing an overview of the Elections Department, which is responsible for ballot processing, vote center operations, election programming, equipment testing, and tabulation.

Constance provides a detailed look at how early ballots are processed, how damaged or unreadable ballots are duplicated, and how vote centers are identified, evaluated, and maintained across the county. She explains the intricacies of ballot-on-demand technology, electronic poll books, connectivity challenges in remote locations, and the extensive training, staffing, and coordination required for both permanent and temporary election workers. We also walk through the safeguards built into every election, including logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, chain-of-custody procedures, and the creation of the official canvass. Constance outlines how each step ensures accuracy and transparency before results ever reach the Board of Supervisors for certification.

Finally, the discussion highlights recent improvements such as Pima County’s new election night reporting platform and the optional early ballot drop-off verification process. Constance also shares her enthusiasm for launching a voter academy in the coming years to further improve public understanding of elections.

Through this discussion, listeners gain a clear, accessible overview of the complex work required to run secure, accurate, and transparent elections in Pima County.