Quartzsite council canvasses July 21 primary, declares three winners

The Quartzsite Town Council reviewed the results of the July 21, 2026 primary election and moved to accept a resolution formally declaring the returns.

The clerk read the resolution (26-09) and the supporting exhibits, saying, “The number of ballots cast in the set primary election as shown by the voters was 1,230,” and that the town had 1,901 active registered voters. The clerk also read the names the canvass identified as elected, stating, “Council members are Lisa Bolton, Ray Barnett, and Melanie Chavalier.”

The resolution cites Arizona law as the statutory basis for canvassing. The clerk read portions of the statutory language included in the resolution, citing ARS 9-821, ARS 9-821.01 and ARS 16-642 as the authority for declaring results and issuing certificates of election or nomination.

A council member asked for clarification about report categories such as undervotes and contests; town staff responded that the exhibits attached to the resolution include precinct-level tallies, rejected ballot counts and other required results. A question about when winners will be seated drew this explanation from staff: “By statute and also by town code, the seating of the candidates follows the actual canvassing of the general election,” and Quartzsite seats newly elected members immediately following the general election rather than waiting until Jan. 1.

A member moved to accept the canvass “as stated,” the motion was seconded and the council then offered congratulations to the declared winners. The provided transcript records the motion and second but does not record a roll-call vote tally in the supplied segments.