TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) - The Sunshine State is being praised for its vote count process by states like Arizona, which was one of the last to tabulate their results.
After results were in on election night, Florida's Secretary of State, Cord Byrd, shared that it is unacceptable for other states to take as long as they do to total up their votes.
"As the third largest state, we prove it can be done, everybody should follow the Florida model," said Secretary Byrd.
In the 2024 general election, Florida called their results shortly after 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, whereas Arizona called their results four days after on Nov. 9. Secretary Byrd credits Florida's accurate and timely results to the governor, the Florida legislature, and local Supervisor of Elections.
"In this election cycle, Florida will reach its highest percentage of turn out since 1992. What that proves is, when the voters trust in the process, they turn out," Secretary Byrd said. "They turn out in record numbers and once again this election proves that."
In Arizona, State House Representative Rachel Jones took to "X" to share her thoughts on the election process and the efforts to "fix" it by taking on the "Florida style."
Shortly after, Secretary Byrd shared, "We are always ready and willing to share the Florida blueprint on how to run elections."
"The things that we do is early canvassing of vote by mail and early voting, so you get those numbers early and requiring that all ballots must be into the supervisor's office by 7:00 pm that really is unacceptable for other states to take that long," said Secretary Byrd.
Secretary Byrd highlights Florida's quick results, while the Secretary of State of Arizona shares, "Election results take time."
Keep in mind the preliminary election results we saw on election night still need to be certified. This allows all 67 counties to turn in their results no later than noon on Monday November 18th.