Federal Investigation Commences over Alleged Civil Rights Infringements in Arizona's Primary Elections
In the heart of the 2016 presidential election season, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into the handling of the nominating contest in Maricopa County, Arizona. The probe was initiated following complaints of exceedingly long lines at polling places, particularly in areas with substantial racial or language minority populations.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, called the election a "fiasco" and cited "unacceptably disparate distribution of polling locations." He later made a call for a federal probe, which was heeded by the DOJ. The Justice Department's civil rights division requested detailed information about the election in a letter dated April 1, 2016.
In what officials called a cost-cutting move, Maricopa County slashed its polling sites to 60, down from 200 in 2012. Voters last month waited in line for up to five hours to cast ballots and well into the night at the sharply reduced number of polls. Karen Osborne, county elections director, stated that their decisions on polling places were based on recent voting patterns and an increasing number of mail-in ballots.
Osborne denied any intent to rob voters of their rights in regards to the election handling. However, the Justice Department's investigation was sparked by the reports of a disproportional burden in waiting times, which could potentially infringe upon the rights of voters.
As of August 2025, there is no verified or reported Department of Justice investigation specifically into Maricopa County's 2016 presidential primary election. The broader DOJ election integrity efforts focus mainly on voter rolls and alleged noncitizen voting across multiple jurisdictions.
It is worth noting that Maricopa County has been under federal oversight for its Sheriff’s Office due to controversies related to racial profiling and internal misconduct. The ongoing local and federal matters may have contributed to the heightened scrutiny of the election process.
In the aftermath of the election, the state-certified results were given five days for candidates to contest. An attorney for Democrat Bernie Sanders indicated that his campaign was considering a challenge to the results. The election was formally certified on Monday.
This investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of accessible and fair elections, and the role of the DOJ in ensuring that all voters have an equal opportunity to exercise their right to vote. As the investigation continues, more information may come to light, shedding further light on the events of the 2016 presidential primary election in Maricopa County.
The DOJ's investigation in 2016, initiated amidst complaints of unequal voting conditions, focused on policy-and-legislation surrounding the Maricopa County election, highlighting the intersection of politics and general-news. Despite the investigation wrapping up by August 2025, with the focus shifting to other jurisdictions, the events underscored the significance of equitable elections and the DOJ's role in maintaining fair voting processes.
