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Arizona, U.S. Justice Dept. Reach Deal Over Special Election Ballots

The state of Arizona and the U.S. Justice Department have reached a settlement over ballots for overseas military voters in the upcoming special election to replace Trent Franks. Those ballots will be counted if received up to 10 days late.

The dispute stems from the compressed time frame for the special election to replace former congressman Franks. Military ballots must be mailed 45 days before Election Day. That came just two days after a candidate signature filing deadline, but eight days before a candidate challenge deadline. Democratic ballots ended up changing after one of three candidates was removed in a challenge.

The race is for a vacant house seat in District 8, which covers portions of the West Valley. Franks, a Republican, was elected to the seat in 2002. He resigned in December amid sexual harassment allegations.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to correct the year Trent Franks was elected.

Stina Sieg was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2013 to 2018.