The League of Women Voters, Northwest Maricopa County, was honored to be the first group invited to tour the newly renovated Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Sept. 18.

Recorder Stephen Richer welcomed the group and Scott Jarrett and Ilene Habor were tour hosts.

Security and transparency remain the primary focus of the department. Each step in the ballot processing was explained and all questions were answered.

Stops included the tabulation room and command center. All areas have state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate counting of ballots and addressing any issues with voting and votes centers starting with early voting in October.

Josh and Justin Heywood, Roman Sierra and Sierra Ciaramella from the Recorders office arranged the tour.

Groups interested in a tour can call 605-506-1511.