Maricopa County

Mohave County, Arizona, will debut a new ballot paper with enhanced security features in the July 21 primary after initial technical issues were resolved. The all-Republican board of supervisors approved its use following successful retesting, despite earlier concerns about tabulator errors.

Maricopa County expanded early voting sites ahead of the primary election, a move celebrated by advocates as a win for voting access. The decision follows ongoing disputes between the county board and Recorder Justin Heap over control of early voting processes, with a recent court ruling maintaining the board's authority.

The CDC reports an early and severe West Nile virus season with 48 confirmed cases by June 30, 38 of which are severe, marking the worst start in over two decades. Arizona has been hardest hit, with 32 cases and four deaths, prompting officials to urge mosquito bite prevention measures like DEET use and eliminating standing water.

The CDC warns of an early and severe West Nile virus season, with 48 confirmed cases (38 severe) reported by June 30—far exceeding the 10-year average for the period. Arizona has the most cases, including four deaths, prompting officials to urge mosquito bite prevention measures like DEET-based repellent and eliminating standing water.

Maricopa County will not face a class action lawsuit related to its mugshot site. The article references a ruling but provides no further details.

Arizona's Republican-controlled legislature placed a measure (HCR 2001) on the November ballot requiring mail voters to provide government-issued ID. If approved, the measure would take effect in 2028 and is part of a national GOP effort to restrict mail voting. Similar proposals have been introduced in Ohio and by former President Donald Trump's administration.

A special prosecutor is investigating whether employees of the Maricopa County Recorder's Office violated laws by removing a scanner and provisional ballot envelopes from the vote tabulation center during a local election. The dispute involves Recorder Justin Heap's claim of ownership of the scanner and a legal battle with the county's board of supervisors over election control, as the 2024 primary approaches.

California's slow ballot count following its primary election has drawn criticism, including from President Donald Trump, who alleged fraud and claimed the process was being manipulated to disqualify certain candidates. The state's election laws require a delayed count to verify mail ballots, with a new law reducing the maximum count period from 30 to 13 days. Governor Gavin Newsom's office emphasized the state's commitment to accuracy and accessibility in the election process.

California's ballot counting process is slow due to laws requiring verification of mail-in ballots, which are mailed to all voters and must be postmarked by Election Day. President Donald Trump alleged fraud and delayed counts to harm Republican candidates, prompting a response from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office emphasizing accuracy. A new law aims to complete counts within 13 days.

Brenda Rivera Estrada, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was indicted on manslaughter and endangerment charges after a 2024 Arizona rollover crash killed her 9-year-old daughter. Toxicology reports indicated she was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana, and she had overstayed her 2009 nonimmigrant visa. ICE arrested her following the crash, which also injured three other children.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office misused $163 million from a court-ordered settlement meant to address racial profiling, with auditors finding nearly 72% of spending was misattributed or inappropriate. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan and county Republicans have cited settlement costs to call for ending the case, despite ongoing racial disparities in traffic stops affecting Latino residents.

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap's potential control over election IT infrastructure raises concerns about partisan influence and voter data security. A court ruling could grant Heap authority over the system, with critics alleging ties to Donald Trump's election conspiracy efforts and misuse of sensitive voter information.

A recent POLITICO Poll reveals sharp differences in Republican and Democratic fears about election integrity, with many Americans distrustful of the system heading into November. More than one-third say it is likely the 2026 midterms will be stolen, and one in four say they don’t expect the elections to be fair. The poll highlights disagreements between Democrats and Republicans on core problems with U.S. elections.

Arizona's Maricopa County, the state's most populous, faces election uncertainty as Republican Justin Heap, an election skeptic, gains more authority over election operations following a court ruling. Heap's controversial actions, including a signature-checking system and use of a federal database to identify noncitizens, have sparked legal disputes and criticism from officials, raising concerns about the integrity of the 2026 midterms in a key political battleground.

An Arizona judge ruled in favor of Republican election official Justin Heap, granting him more authority in Maricopa County elections. The decision could influence Arizona's status as a key battleground state in upcoming high-profile races, amid ongoing election conspiracy theories following the 2020 presidential election.