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The Latest: McCain defeats challengers in Republican primary
PHOENIX (AP) — The Latest on Arizona's primary election (all times local):
8:30 p.m.
U.S. Sen. John McCain has beaten back a primary challenge from a Republican tea party activist to win the right to seek a sixth term in November.
The 80-year-old who was his party's 2008 presidential nominee easily defeated former state Sen. Kelli Ward and two other Republicans on the ballot.
However, the victory doesn't clear the way to a smooth re-election for McCain. He faces a tough Democratic challenge in November's general election from U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. She advanced Tuesday after facing only a write-in opponent in the primary.
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8:15 p.m.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio has crushed three rivals to win the Republican nomination in his bid for a 7th term.
Arpaio will face Democrat challenger Paul Penzone during the fall in what's believed to be his toughest campaign in six terms as Maricopa County's top lawman. Arpaio easily beat former Buckeye Police Chief Dan Saban and two other lesser-known Republican opponents Tuesday.
A judge has ruled that Arpaio's officers racially profiled Latinos, and the sheriff was found in civil contempt of court for defying court orders in the case. The judge recently recommended that Arpaio face criminal prosecution over the contempt case, which could subject him to jail time.
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7:30 p.m.
Arizona election officials say they saw no major problems during Tuesday primary election voting.
Secretary of State spokesman Matt Roberts says it was an extremely quiet Election Day. That's a sharp contrast to the March 22 presidential primary that saw long lines and wait times exceeding five hours in some parts of the state's largest county.
Those problems in Maricopa County were blamed in part on the consolidation of polling places and the fact that independents can't vote in Arizona's presidential primary.
Regular primaries allow those not registered with a party to choose a Republican, Democratic or Green Party ballot. The Libertarian Party primary remains closed. The county returned to the normal number of polling places Tuesday.
Maricopa County elections spokeswoman Elizabeth Barthlomew says polls closed on time, with only a couple of glitches reported through the day.
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7 p.m.
The polls are now closed in Arizona's primary election.
Key races include the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and contests for U.S. House nominations in congressional districts across the state.
Sen. John McCain is facing a tough battle with a former state senator who is vowing to retire the five-term Republican a day after his 80th birthday.
And six-term Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio faces a trio of challengers in his primary as he seeks a seventh term at age 84.
Unlike the state's presidential primary back in February, independents are allowed to request either a Republican, Democratic or Green Party ballot at the polls.
Only the Libertarian Party has a closed election.
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10:10 a.m.
The Maricopa County elections office says the state's primary election hasn't produced long lines so far at Phoenix-area polling places, a far cry from the presidential primary when many voters waited hours to cast ballots.
Elections office spokeswoman Elizabeth Bartholomew says the county's 724 polling places are up and running, though she says the openings of six of them were delayed up to an hour Tuesday morning when poll workers failed to report for work on time.
Bartholomew says troubleshooters stepped in to help open the affected polling places.
Maricopa County had long lines in March when it dramatically reduced the number of locations where voters could cast ballots in the presidential primary and when many independents showed up to vote, erroneously thinking they could vote in that election.
Secretary of State's Office spokesman Matt Robert says unofficial turnout projections for the primary generally are in the range of 26-28 percent.
Statewide turnout percentages for Arizona's last three primary elections ranged from 27 to 30 percent.
Polling places will be open until 7 p.m. or until the last person in line at that time casts a ballot.
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6:35 a.m.
Voters are casting ballots in Arizona's primary election.
Key races include the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and contests for U.S. House nominations in congressional districts across the state.
Polling places remain open until 7 p.m. or until the last person in line at that time has voted, with the first results announced starting an hour later.
Unlike the state's presidential primary back in February, independents are allowed to request either a Republican, Democratic or Green Party ballot at the polls. Only the Libertarian Party has a closed election.
It's too late for voters who receive a ballot by mail to send it back. They must be dropped off at a polling place or elections office or a designated drop-off location.
Voters who go to the polls must show identification.
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