Election 2012

Students at Howard University, a historically black college, react as President Barack Obama collects the necessary electoral college votes to win the presidential election against Mitt Romney, in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Election Night

Councilman Sal DiCiccio greets Martin Sepulveda at his campaign headquarters in Phoenix on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012.

Election Day

Gilbert Town Council candidate and current council member Jenn Daniels,left, talks with former Gilbert Mayor Cynthia Dunham during an election night party, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Daniels home in Gilbert.[Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Election Day

Gilbert Mayor candidate and current Mayor John Lewis,left, talks with Gilbert Town Council candidate and current council member Jenn Daniels during an election night party, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Daniels home in Gilbert.[Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Election Day

Arizona Republican Senate candidate and current U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, right, talks with his communications director Andrew Wilder at a primary election night party, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at his home in Mesa.[Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Election Day

Arizona Republican Senate candidate and current U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, center, walks through a hallway full of guests at a primary election night party, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at his home in Mesa.[Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Election Day

Gilbert Mayor candidate and current Mayor John Lewis,right, gives a brief speech thanking his supporters while attending an election night party, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Town Council member Jenn Daniels' home in Gilbert. [Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Election Day

Gilbert Mayor candidate and current Mayor John Lewis,left, celebrates with Gilbert Town Council candidate and current council member Jenn Daniels during an election night party, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Daniels home in Gilbert.[Tim Hacker/Tribune]

Mayoral election

A Phoenix voter makes her way into the Pecos Community Center to cast a vote for Mayor Tuesday afternoon Aug 30, 2011. Darryl Webb/AFN

Mayoral election

A Phoenix voter makes her way to her car after casting her vote for Mayor at the Pecos Community Center Tuesday afternoon Aug 30, 2011. Darryl Webb/AFN

Election canvass

Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard, the man she defeated in her election bid, formally certify the election results Monday, Nov, 29, 2010, as required by law. Not everything is complete, though: A recount is necessary on Proposition 112 because it failed by just 128 votes.

CLEAN ELECTIONS

Todd Lang, executive director of the Arizona CItizens Clean Elections Commission, says his staff doesn't micromanage campaigns. However, he said the commission is aware of the tension between not wanting to interfere and keeping i mind that candidates are spending public money.

CLEAN ELECTIONS

Nick Dranias, director of the Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute, shown in a 2009 file photo, says publicly financed candidates purchasing computers and paying relatives as campaign workers and consultants are products of a well-meaning but flawed law.

AF election

Ahwatukee Foothills residents Monty and Martha Varah voted at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center polling place Tuesday.

AF election

Ahwatukee Foothills residents Monty and Martha Varah voted at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center polling place Tuesday.

AF election

Ahwatukee Foothills residents Monty and Martha Varah voted at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center polling place Tuesday.

Election Day

A voter walks into a polling facility in Mesa, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 for the mid-term election.

Election Day

Political signs are displayed in the entry of the parking lot of a polling facility in Mesa, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 for the mid-term election.

Election 2010

Primary election

Numerous candidate signs just outside the Dobson Ranch Branch Mesa Public Library polling site, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Mesa.

Election Night

Provisional and Early Ballots being dropped off are checked in by county employee Ryan McDevitt at the Maricopa County Recorder and Elections Office in Mesa, Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

Election Night

Provisional and Early Ballots being dropped off are loaded onto a truck by county employee Ryan McDevitt at the Maricopa County Recorder and Elections Office in Mesa, Tuesday, May 18, 2010.