TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Arizona could be the last state called in the 2024 presidential election.

Why do Arizona results take so long?

Every state has different laws for voting. Arizona has extra layers of validation and voter options.

”The people who seem upset about it think it’s an indicator of fraud, when it’s actually the complete opposite,” said Gina Roberts with the Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

The long wait is not because election officials and workers are taking their time.

“They are working as hard as and fast as they can, but they still have to follow the law and ensure the integrity of the election,” Roberts said.

That’s complicated when ballots are delivered several ways. Arizona stands out for letting voters drop off their early ballot on election day.

“A large part of Arizona voters choose that method to return their ballot,” said Roberts. “We’re talking hundreds of thousands of voters.”

Those “late earlies,” as they’re called, take additional time.

”It’s one thing if you are going to the polls on election day and you are voting right then and there, and you get to feed your ballot through the tabulator because that’s counting it instantaneously,” said Roberts. “The next step is, if you voted early, and you returned your ballot early, the county has time to process it, because all early ballots have to go through processing, meaning, the county has to scan the barcode in to make sure you didn’t previously vote.

“They have to confirm that your signature matches the one on your early ballot affidavit matches what’s on record, so they’re verifying your identity and that’s important, regardless how any person votes, their identification is always confirmed. Then, it has to go to a bipartisan team, that opens up the ballot, they inspect it, make sure there’s no damage, make sure it’s for the right election, and then they send it over to the tabulation room,” Roberts explained.

After election day, there are more federal and state laws to be satisfied.

November 11th is the first day allowed by state law when a county can canvass the election. On November 25th, the 15 counties are to send their final results to Arizona’s Secretary of State to become official.

”That’s how it’s always been, we’ve always had that timeline, but it feels like to voters that it takes more time, because significantly more voters are choosing to drop off their ballots on election day - and with the close makeup of our electorate, it can be more difficult for the media to call an election,” said Roberts.

News outlets, including 13 News, don’t make those projections aren’t made until there is no remaining path to victory for a candidate in the state of Arizona.