Voters in metro Phoenix turned out before polling places opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday, waiting join more than 2.5 million Arizonans who have already voted in the Nov. 3 election.

So far, lines have varied from less than 50 to more than 100 with some describing an hour-long wait. Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes attributed the lines to an enthusiastic turnout. Nearly 36,000 voters have cast ballots as of 8:30 a.m., he said.

“We’re all systems go,” Fontes told radio station KTAR.

Statewide, turnout was already high with nearly 62% of voters already casting their ballots either by mail or in-person as of Monday morning, according to a tally from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office.

The Copper Courier spoke with several voters as they made their way to polling places, where they discussed candidates, communities, and their hopes for what the results of Tuesday’s election will bring.

Stories From Arizona Voters

Taylor Swift kicked off the first concert of the 52-date Eras Tour with a six-song set from her album “Lover” on Friday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
The ruling will involve the tribe’s claim that the federal government’s obligation to protect Navajo water rights includes water in the Colorado River.
Taylor Swift’s donation will help deliver fresh, healthy produce to local food banks across Arizona.
If you’re looking to honor St. Patrick’s Day, here are six places in metro Phoenix that will be celebrating on March 17.
The African American Museum of Southern Arizona officially opened on Jan. 14 in Tucson.
Loma Linda School in the Creighton School District is the latest to benefit from Kaboom’s mission of giving kids access to quality playgrounds.
Butterflies are back at the Desert Botanical Garden, which has been working for years to help boost the still-endangered monarch butterfly’s population.
Looking for ways to end women’s pay inequity? Here are some resources that may help.
Three students who have taken dual enrollment courses and/or participated in an early college achievement program through Maricopa Community Colleges say the advantages are worth the rigor. 
Religious leaders attended Thursday’s board meeting and implored those accusing the board of religious discrimination to stop acting “anti-Christian.”
The Bryans are performing together in the Arizona Opera’s production of “The Sound of Music,” which will be showing at The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall in Tucson on March 11 and 12. 
The Oscars are this Sunday, and we want your predictions.
Republicans immediately rejected Biden’s plan, but have yet to release their own budget. They have made it clear, however, that they want to apply deep spending cuts to everything from health insurance to food assistance benefits.
OPINION: While many in the “pro-life” camp argue that banning abortions is the only way to protect life, in cases like mine, denying access to abortion is anything but.
Peterson Zah, a monumental Navajo Nation leader who guided the tribe through a politically tumultuous era and worked tirelessly to correct wrongdoings against Native Americans, has died.
Washington Elementary School District, representing north central Phoenix and east Glendale, voted to end its contract with Arizona Christian University because the university’s values do not align with WESD’s.  
The ordinance protects residents who rely on aid such as housing vouchers, veteran’s benefits, or social security from being denied housing due to their source of income.
“We are encouraged by the bipartisan renewal effort by Sen. Durbin and Sen. Graham to legalize Dreamers.”
Biden’s plan would increase the Medicare tax rate on Americans earning above $400,000 from 3.8% to 5% to help keep Medicare solvent into the 2050s. No one earning under $400,000 a year would pay a dime more in taxes, under Biden’s plan. 
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House Republicans want to apply deep cuts to everything from health insurance to food assistance benefits, an effort that would plunge millions more Americans into extreme poverty.  
The presenter falsely claimed that organizations like Chicanos Por La Causa could register “multiple registrations on the same voter” and could change a voter’s registration information, such as party affiliation.
Under the proposed law, ill requires cities and towns would be required to tear down homeless encampments and charge the person or people living there with trespassing if they’re on private property.