Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

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.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, rejecting the county board of supervisors' attempt to claim election duties. The court vacated an appeals court decision and reinstated injunctions requiring the board to fund Heap's office expenses. The dispute centers on Arizona law dividing election responsibilities between the board and the recorder, with Heap terminating an agreement that shifted IT control to the board.

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 Arizona Court of Appeals paused a ruling favoring Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap in his legal dispute with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over election control. The appellate court's decision, based on the Purcell principle, aims to prevent disruptions to the upcoming primary election by delaying implementation of a lower court's order requiring the board to return election functions to Heap's office.

Activists in Surprise, Arizona, filed a petition to disincorporate the city to transfer control to Maricopa County, aiming to push back against an ICE immigration detention center. The city council has refused to oppose the facility, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to retrofit in a warehouse near a hazardous chemical storage site.

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has filed a request to hold the county’s board of supervisors in civil contempt, citing non-compliance with a court order to return election-related functions and IT staff to his office. The dispute has escalated with recent conflicts over voter communication and ballot drop box locations as the state primary approaches.

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap sent a letter warning of criminal penalties for handling ballots from 'unauthorized' drop boxes, escalating a dispute with the county Board of Supervisors over election administration. The Board criticized Heap's actions as 'shocking' and 'outrageous,' while his office accused the Board of attempting to control drop box locations.