Maricopa County

Preston Tolth, previously involved in the 2021 disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay, has been charged with burglary in an unrelated incident, potentially leading to his return to federal prison. Tolth, released early from prison in June, was arrested by Phoenix police after a break-in and is now facing a burglary charge in Maricopa County.

Preston Tolth, linked to the 2021 disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay, faces a new burglary charge in Phoenix. Tolth, released early from federal prison in June, was arrested after a home break-in and is now under investigation for violating his supervised release terms.

Arizona voters used a new ID-verification option for mail ballots during the primary election, with 23,000 in Maricopa County and over 6,000 in Pima County opting to show ID to speed up ballot counting. The process, which bypasses signature verification, led to faster results in Maricopa County but remains unproven as a long-term solution.

A Republican-backed ballot measure in Arizona, Proposition 145, was dismissed by a judge for violating the state constitution's Separate Amendment Rule. The measure aimed to protect private school voucher funding for military families but included provisions that would have banned future reforms to the voucher system.

In Arizona, three election deniers won Republican primaries for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. If they win in November, they will play key roles in overseeing elections and defending voting laws. Amna Nawaz discussed the issue with Stephen Richer, the elections recorder in Maricopa County from 2021 to 2025.

Arizona’s primary election on July 21 allows all registered voters to participate, with party-affiliated voters receiving their party’s ballot and independents choosing a party’s primary. Voters must present acceptable ID, and early ballots can be dropped off at polling locations until 7 p.m. Election results will be released after 8 p.m., starting with early ballots.

Experts warn election denialism could resurface in November as Donald Trump continues to focus on his 2020 election defeat. Republican officials in Maricopa County, Arizona, previously resisted Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, facing threats and pressure.

Maricopa County in Arizona, known for its extremely hot temperatures, has successfully reduced the number of heat-related deaths. The county's approach offers potential lessons for other regions facing similar heat challenges.

Maricopa County in Arizona experiences extremely high temperatures but has successfully reduced heat-related deaths. The county's approach to mitigating heat fatalities offers lessons for other regions.

President Trump criticized China in his remarks on U.S. election security during a primetime speech. Stephen Richer, a former election official in Maricopa County, Arizona, provided his reaction.

Multiple investigations refuted claims of election fraud affecting the 2020 outcome. A recount in Maricopa County, Arizona, found more votes for Joseph R. Biden Jr. and fewer for President Trump compared to the original count.

A settlement has been reached in a dispute over elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, which has been a center of election denial and conspiracy theories since Joseph R. Biden Jr. won the state in 2020.

The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that citing fake AI-generated cases in legal filings is sanctionable conduct, even if unintentional. The case involved Jeffrey Kotchka, who used generative AI to draft his appellate brief without verifying citations, leading to six invalid or incorrect references. The court emphasized that reliance on AI does not absolve parties from adhering to court rules.

Election officials in Arizona's Maricopa County resolved a legal dispute over election administration responsibilities through a settlement agreement. The deal outlines roles for Recorder Justin Heap and the GOP-dominated board of supervisors in overseeing different aspects of the July 21 primary, including early voting and IT systems.

Top officials in Arizona's Maricopa County have reached an agreement on jointly overseeing elections, resolving a legal battle. The resolution ensures collaborative management of the voting process in the state's most populous county.

Election officials in Arizona's Maricopa County reached an agreement to jointly oversee elections, resolving a legal battle between the county recorder and a GOP-dominated board of supervisors. The settlement outlines an interim plan for the July 21 primary, with the recorder overseeing early voting and ballot drop box locations, while the board handles Election Day operations and funding a $15 million IT system.

Election officials in Arizona's Maricopa County reached a settlement to end a legal battle over election oversight. The agreement outlines roles for Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and the predominantly GOP board of supervisors in administering the July 21 primary, including Heap overseeing early voting and the board handling Election Day operations.

Maricopa County officials resolved a legal battle over election control with a detailed agreement separating their offices, ending a year-long dispute. The deal, enacted via a 3-1 vote, creates operational barriers between the board's elections department and the recorder's office but leaves uncertainty for the upcoming primary and 2026 midterms.

An election fight in Arizona could influence the nation’s midterms. A show of support for Maricopa County recorder Justin Heap occurred during a special meeting of the county’s Board of Supervisors in Phoenix in February.

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.