The Maricopa County Elections Department has begun counting early ballots for the November election Monday and says it has more than 168,000 ready for tabulation.

However, results will not be released until Election Day on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.

The county expects 98% of ballots will be reported by Nov. 11, with final counts happening about 12 days after the election. 

While most early ballots will be returned before Election Day, the county is expecting up to 250,000 to be received on Nov. 8.