Trump could carry Arizona despite early calls

Data analytics and survey research firm Digital Orbital estimates that President Donald Trump is "inline" to carry Arizona.

"This breakdown is inline with what we are estimating and why we believe @realDonaldTrump will carry AZ," Digital Orbital wrote, commenting that ballots are "heavily Republican" and "will break in his favor." Approximately 500,000 ballots remain outstanding, the account reported.

American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp accused Big Tech of flagging posts about Arizona ballots completed with Sharpie pens. "THEY COUNT," he alleged, citing a FOX 10 article.

The Phoenix-based news outlet reported that, according to state officials, ballots marked with Sharpie pens—provided by voting locations in Maricopa County—will be counted in Arizona, despite #Sharpiegate claims on social media that such ballots would be rejected.

Maricopa County officials reported using fine-tip Sharpies in voting centers because of fast-drying ink, which is crucial because ballots are sent directly into the tabulation machine when voting in-person.

"I [sic] optimistic that President @realDonaldTrump will win AZ when all legal ballots are counted," Republican Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs tweeted Wednesday afternoon. "I've gone through this same experience in our state before. I was down on election night, & by the end of the week, I won when all legal ballots were counted."

The incumbent US Representative for Arizona's 5th Congressional District was re-elected on Election Day, defeating Democratic challenger Joan Greene. Biggs added hopefully that the trend for Trump and other GOP members in the state is "moving in the right direction."

"If the president's numbers, or other Republicans' numbers, were not improving as more ballots were tabulated, then there would be a real problem," Biggs continued. "But there is reason to be optimistic with the trend that we are seeing for Republicans."