Construction has recently begun in Pinal County for a new elections building.
The new 51,000-square-foot structure would dwarf the current space of about 12,000 square feet and will include an observation space for the public and media to monitor activity.
That’s according to Jeffrey McClure, vice chairman of the county Board of Supervisors.
“They have an actual fish bowl room they can stand in and see out four different directions of the room to know what’s going on in our elections process. Plus, it’ll have cameras with TV screens to see other places that you can’t see from that observation room," he said.
McClure says the current cramped environment calls for more space.
The new structure should be completed by May 2024. During last year’s primary elections polling places ran out of in-person ballots, prompting ire from voters.